John Smith Jr.

John Smith Jr. (Affectionately known as ‘Slug’), the son of the late John Henry and Annie Smith, was born September 20, 1933 in Chase City, Virginia. In the early morning hour on December 11,2024, John Smith Jr. departed this life and made his journey to heaven to receive his eternal reward, in the loving arms of his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He attended the public schools of Chase City, Virginia where he was reared as a child until his parents migrated to Baltimore, leaving the south in search of a better way of life for their family.

John Smith Jr. was a very responsible adult with a strong work ethic, working multiple jobs to provide for his family. His motto was, “It’s all about the children,” therefore, he was no stranger to hard work. His love for family gave him a sense of pride and purpose. Living out his convictions to always be a provider for his family.

In 1987, John Smith Jr. met Betty Jane Smith, and after a short courtship was joined in Holy Matrimony where they remained married for 35 years.

John Smith Jr. accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior of his soul. He joined the Israel Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor H.W. Wilson II, and was a faithful member until his health began to fail. He loved the early morning, (7:30AM ) worship services.

John Smith Jr. was outgoing, and energetic, as well as industrious, he lived his life to the fullest. He had a love for music, especially Jazz, artists like John Coltrane, Etta James, Boney James, Peter White, and many others. He really loved Westerns, and he watched all the sports on television; especially football. Now if you visited Slug at his home during the week, you were guaranteed to get a steady diet of old Westerns, (don’t even think about changing that channel!).

John Smith Jr. held down several jobs, often working two jobs; which meant long hours. He retired from Baltimore Mack Trucks after over thirty-five years of steady employment where he received numerous rewards for perfect attendance, and for being a hardworking, dedicated employee. He was also employed as a cook at a National Guard Armory in Dundalk, Maryland,  and worked in an auto parts store on Harford Road, just to name a few.

John Smith Jr. believed what the Bible says in Genesis 1:28, where God commanded us to be fruitful and multiply.  And, of course, John Smith Jr. figured that God was talking directly to him (Ha-Ha!).

Four siblings preceded him in death; Charles Smith, Elizabeth Benjamin, Cynthia Smith, and Linda Smith and four sons Eric, Tyrone, Morris, and Jeffrey Smith.

He leaves to continue his love and legacy for life; his wife of thirty-five years, Betty Jane Smith;   brothers, Herman Puryear and Alfonso Louis Puryear; sister, Cecilia Waaldijkal; sons, Donald Smith, Dean Smith (Margret), Wayne Smith (Fernanda) and Roy Smith (Nancy); daughters, Kimberly Smith, Carolyn Dukes, Rhonda Scott, Burnett Scott, Patricia Jenkins, Bonita Hayes, Eartha Wood, and Andrea Smith, and last, but not least, his favorite son-in -law; Kevin Wood (who always knew how to make him laugh, no matter the situation, good or bad. Those were John Smith’s words, not ours. He leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great- great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends that are too numerous to try and name them all.  But, just know this one thing about Dad, Grandad, Unk, whatever his relationship was with you, he loved you, and cared about each one of you in his own special way. It’s all about the children! It’s all about the family!  To God be the glory for the life and legacy of John Smith Jr.