John Kenneth Smith, age 77, entered an eternal rest in his heavenly home on November 11, 2024. Kenneth was born on January 10, 1947, in the Tanner Williams, Alabama community to Otis Leroy Smith and Pricey Louise Pierce Smith. Kenneth was husband to his faithful wife, the late Wanda Smith, for 47 years. Later in life he found true love for a second time with his late wife, Claudia Voncille Tanner Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Louise Smith, brother Otis “Buddy” Leroy (Mavis) Smith, Jr., brother H. L. (Virginia) Smith, sister Mary Sue Smith, and brother Darrell (Leisa) Smith. He is survived by his loving daughter Tabitha Marie (Brad) Lewis, brother Raymond (Lucy) Smith, sister Vivian Elaine (the late Robert) Johnson, and his two precious grandsons, Jackson Bradley Lewis and Bryson John Lewis. Kenneth also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved so well.
Though a long-time resident of Hurley, Mississippi, Kenneth spent much of his life traveling the United States for work as a part of the Boilermakers Union. A welder by trade, he was a proud union member and demonstrated a strong love for his country by promoting American made products. Kenneth was very connected to his family, especially his brothers. Known as “The Smith Brothers”, they worked many jobs side by side.
When Kenneth traveled for summer jobs his family was always by his side. The longest employment in one place for Kenneth was a yearlong job in West Virginia. Both Kenneth and Wanda wanted stability for their daughter, so the family lived there during Tabitha’s fifth grade year. Kenneth was a loving and devoted father who had a pet name for his sweet girl and always referred to Tabitha as “darlin".
Kenneth not only was a hard worker, but he enjoyed having fun through family activities and hobbies. An avid NASCAR fan, Dale Earnhardt was Kenneth’s favorite professional driver, but he spent many years following the races of his nephews and watching their “need for speed”. Not only did Kenneth follow the sport of racing, he was also a certified scuba diver and a licensed pilot who owned his own plane and enjoyed flying for pleasure.
In his later years, Kenneth worked as a welder and general fixer of all things at Fincher Timber, where he had great friendships with many of his coworkers. He was also blessed with the best two little buddies in his grandsons, Jackson and Bryson. Their Papa always had time for his boys. Many times, they would leave church on Sunday, get a bite to eat and head to the Mobile Flea Market where of course each boy left with a little treasure. They also spent time together working with their 4-H livestock by checking on the cows or pigs, feeding the chickens, going to play at the park, or their favorite, a trip to Edd’s Drive In. The three of them had lots of fun as pals. There wasn’t much about his grandsons he did not like except for Bryson’s orange crocs. Jackson says Papa hated them and many times he was heard saying if Bryson ever took those things off they were going in the garbage!
Kenneth proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal and Motor Transport Operator. He was also a loyal member of his community, serving his church, family and friends wherever and whenever needed. As a long time faithful member of Hurley Methodist Church, he supported his church family in many capacities. As a key person and trustee in the church, Kenneth was actively pursuing the update of their children’s playground area. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Hurley Methodist Church to complete his vision for this project.
Funeral services will be held from Hurley Methodist Church in Hurley, Mississippi on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 a.m. until the service hour. Interment will be held in Joyner Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
