Joyce "Ann" Smedes passed away August 26, 2022. She was born Jan 1, 1939 in Bellville, Illinois to Melvin and Juanita Carter. She lived in Brush, Colorado after moving 4 years ago from Arvada, Colorado, and before that resided in Jefferson County and Boulder County.

Ann Met her husband Randy while they both lived in the mountains. Almost immediately he gave her the name Annie Mae.

Ann was a business manager and accountant, who had been retired for quite a while. She worked briefly in real estate. Ann enjoyed Colorado's scenery and climates; she was an avid gardener, enjoyed camping, loved to go for rides in the mountains, fishing in a lake or stream and sitting around the fire in her house or backyard fireplace. She loved traveling to the Caribbean and was a gifted fine arts oil painter. She also enjoyed cooking; always learning new recipes and techniques. Ann loved horses and even rode in the stock show in Denver. There was always a dog in her everyday life.

Ann was proud of her work in adoptions. She started and ran an adoption agency focused primarily on designated adoptions, which allows birth parents to choose the adoptive parents, and possibly have continued communication with each other. Ann's work and professional associates supported hundreds of adoptions in the United States.

For years, Ann assisted her husband, Randy in running Kettle River Corporation – a masonry and paver contractor

Randy was by her side, and her daughter Diana was on the phone, when she passed peacefully. She was attended by several awesome, thoughtful and caring staff at East Morgan County Hospital in Brush.

Ann is survived by her husband, Randall Wade Smedes; her daughter, Diana Lee Yourell; and grandson, Colton Kevin Yourell.

There will be a small remembrance gathering of friends and family at their home in Brush on October 1 at 2:00 PM.