Obituary of Joseph Smith

Joseph Eddie Smith was born on November 4, 1947, to Joe and Lessie (O'Guinn) Smith in Mt. Holly, a small town in Columbia County, Arkansas. His parents move to Michigan when he was a small child where his father later died. He grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, loving fine clothes, Derby hats and jazz, particularly jazz piano... which he played with a true gift. Being the man of the house Joe grew up very protective of his mother. He worried about her and who would take care of her after he was inducted into the military during the Vietnam war. After his discharge he returned home to his mother and the love of his life Miss Jessie Mae Brown (she preceded him in death in 1992). She and their son Eric were all that he could talk about with anyone who was willing to listen! Eric and his family have remained the greatest source of pride and joy in Joe's life. Joe moved with his mother back to the South and to her family in the 1980's and after her subsequent death, he continued to live there with his uncle, Prentice and Aunt Exile Lee O'Guinn (now both deceased) and became as one of their own. To his cousins Wanda, Patsy, and Debra and their brother Prentice Jr who died in 1993, Joe was more like a brother than a cousin. In this family, the greatest gift was simply being together and that togetherness was celebrated in a home filled with music, laughter and song! Joe returned to Michigan but through the years he watched all of the children grow and proudly shared in any accomplishments, victories or heartbreaks. His visits home, though not frequent, were times when family gathered again to reminisce around the piano, Joe smiling as he shared the piano bench with the next generation of musicians in the family. His absence will be felt for many many years to come. Joe Smith was the epitome of suave...always dressing "sharp", often styling his trademark derby hats or small brimmed fedoras, broken down "just so" over one eye. He made friends wherever he went, largely due to his fun loving and easy going style. He was a wonderful listener who always made whoever he was talking to feel special and validated... even if that person was a child. Joe loved good food for which he never failed to praise the cook (usually Wanda) with a hearty "Deeelicious!", good company, good times, and family. His family were his friends and his friends were family to him. Joe enjoyed true friendships that have withstood the tests of time and distance. The family acknowledges among his most cherished friends James and Joe Modica who always made his trips home to the South complete. Joe Eddie Smith was a good man...a loving and kind man...an obedient son, a true friend, a doting father and grandfather, a supportive "brother". Cherishing each precious memory are family and friends too numerous to list; among whom are foremost his son, Eric Brown and his four grandsons of Atlanta, GA, his four first cousins: Wanda Leichmon, and Debra Elerson, of El Dorado, AR, Patsy Jones of Flint, MI, and Inez Williams of Oakland, CA, We rejoice in the knowledge that this is not goodbye but only "Farewell."