Hugh Smith, Sr. was born on February 15, 1940 to Louis and Emma Smith, the sixth of eighteen children. He spent his childhood in Camden, Alabama and attended Camden Academy. Family needs required him to start working at a young age to help with the support of his family. As such, his siblings looked to him as a role-model, greatly respected him and lovingly referring to him as “T-Man.”
He started working in the timber industry at the age of eighteen. He progressed to the position of wood yard foreman and continued in this field until his retirement. During his career, he worked both as an independent contractor and crewleader. While working as a foreman for Marathon Timber Industry in Millry, AL, he met the love of his life, Annie Mary Young. They were united in holy matrimony in the fall of 1969. To this union, three children were born: Haron Dewayne, Hugh, Jr., and Ricardo Jermaine. Marriage also blessed Hugh with two additional children, Loretta Sinae and Keith LaVan.
Hugh’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his pride and joy. There is no denying that his grandbabies were the ones he loved the most. Time spent with “Paw Paw”was very special to them. His grandchildren, Nicholas and Wayne were with him when he made the most important decision of his life, joyfully accepting the Lord, Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
He was proceeded in death by many loved ones, including: his wife of thirty-five years, Annie Mary Smith; his parents, Louis and Emma Smith; his children, Loretta and Recardo; three sisters, Mabel Smith-Wright, Leola Readus and Annie L. Smith; and six brothers, Louis Smith, Jr., Willie Leon Smith, Donald Smith, Roy Lee Smith, David Smith and Paul Smith.
Forever cherishing his memories, Hugh leaves: three sons, Hugh Jr. and Keith, Meridian, MS and Haron (Gayle) Smith, Millry, AL.; a daughter, Crystal Adams, Waynesboro, MS; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his sibling family: four sisters, Ethel Mae Edwards, Edna McKellar, Emma Lee Green, all of Birmingham, AL and Mattie Rowe of Seattle, WA; four brothers, James (Mattie) Smith, Cleveland, OH; Bobby (Debra Smith), Atlanta, GA; Lloyd Smith and Melvin (Yolanda) Smith, both of Birmingham, AL; his in-laws, Marie (Cossie) Smith, Jackson, AL; Thomas (Cynthia) Young, Columbia, South America; and Rev. Ernest Young, Los Angeles, CA. He will also be cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and several devoted friends.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Hugh Smith Sr., please visit our floral store.