11/14/2024
James Alfred Smith, Jr., affectionately known as “Jimmy,” was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Jimmy was born on May 8, 1940, in Washington Court House, Ohio, to the late James Smith, Sr. and Marguerite Smith. He was the youngest child of their two children.
Jimmy graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1958 and married the love of his life, the late Imogene Scott from Wilmington, Ohio. The two dated since 1955 and wed on October 16, 1959. Together they made a family consisting of six children – Tonie, Tia, Terina, Toyia, Jimmy and Scotty.
Jimmy was honorably discharged from the United States Navy after serving four years. He worked for and retired from Armco Steel where he worked as a welder and a foreman.
Jimmy was an avid lover of sports. He excelled in basketball, track and field, and particularly, baseball. Jimmy also enjoyed horse racing. He owned and trained his own two horses, Sugar Bob and Clever Streak and helped train and race his father’s horse, Wayland Star.
Jimmy’s life made a dramatic change in the early 1980’s where he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and became a servant of the Lord. Jimmy was called by Jesus to preach the gospel of Christ to his community and he, unwaveringly obeyed. Jimmy genuinely loved his First Baptist Church family. On November 4, 2005, he became the Pastor of First Baptist Church, Jeffersonville, Ohio where he lovingly served until taking his last breath.
Jimmy served the Jeffersonville community in many ways for several years to include the mowing of the lawns of the elderly or disabled, visiting the sick in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes, helping young men who had lost their way. Jimmy was willing to preach at different churches whenever called upon.
Jimmy was a mentor and role model for many young men in the community, as well as to his family.
Jimmy was a devoted husband and father who loved his family and would stop at nothing to support them. Jimmy took the responsibility of being a father very seriously. As his body began ailing, he took an assessment of the family he helped to create, to include his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, as well as his sister, cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews to assure himself that all would be well upon his departure.
Jimmy sought to share the wisdom and insights gained from his remarkable 84-year journey with anyone willing to listen in hopes that they could avoid the same pitfalls that he experienced. He lived with eyes and arms open for anything the Lord allowed to come into his life and he kept his mind and heart on faith in the Lord God Almighty.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his mother and father (Jim and Marguerite Smith), his in-laws (Chacy and Elva Scott), his late wife, Imogene Smith and 5 brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
He is survived by his children, Tonie (Charles) Hampton, Tia (Mark) Turner, Terina Smith, Toyia (J.R.) Watts, James Smith III, Scotty Smith (Kim) Smith; grandchildren Shawn (Julie) Hampton, Bradley Hampton, Brian (Christine) Hampton, Mark (Desiree) Turner, Robin Turner, Jason (Gerald) Rouse-Turner, Christian Smith, Domonique (Amy) Smith, Alexis Smith, Skyler Smith, Chacy Smith, Jr., Nia Michel, Bryce Smith, Saana Smith, Zaniyla Smith-Watts, Alysha Watts and Josh Watts; a sister, Jerry Lee Woodson, brother-in-law Thomas Scott, sister-in-law Maxine (Harry) Gilham, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Friday November 22, 2024 at 12:30 at the First Baptist Church, 23 East Walnut Street, Jeffersonville Ohio 43128. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Friends and family may call at the church from 11 until time of services. A repass will be held at the Jeffersonville Masonic Lodge, 23 South Main Street, Jeffersonville, Ohio 43128.
Morrow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
