Herbert Lenzie Smith

On November 26, 1933, the clouds parted and the sun shined down as Herbert Lenzie Smith made his debut into the world. Born in Douglas, GA to Ernest and Lois Smith, Herbert was vibrant and full of life right from the start, never meeting a stranger and always being the life of the party. Herbert, a lover of Sunday mornings and strong cups of coffee, poetically took his last breath at Baptist Hospital in Downtown Jacksonville at 10:04am this past Sunday, August 4, 2024.

Herbert, a hustler to his core, founded Smith Brothers Plastering Company in 1976 with his brother Vernon and remained President of the company until his retirement in 2014, at which time his Grandson, Joshua Smith, acquired the company. To this day Smith Brothers greatest contribution to the city of Jacksonville is the almost five decades of service at Baptist Downtown and we take great comfort in knowing Herbert spent his last moments taking in the sun rise over the legacy he was so proud of.

Herbert was a son, brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and above all a friend. He was a lover of music, dancing, desserts, good food, cards, college football, golf, travel and business. Herbert was a longtime member and supporter of Trinity Baptist Church and Trinity Christian Academy. And in the final years, his life was full of gatherings, dancing, dinners and fun thanks to his daughter, Teresa Smith, and her amazing friends; our family is forever indebted to you all.

Herbert was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Rebecca Anne Smith and his beloved daughter, Lisa Selma Smith; his parents, Ernest and Lois Smith; and his brothers: Carl, Marvin and Vernon Smith.

Herbert is survived by his son, Herbert Timothy; his daughter, Teresa Ann; His Grandchildren: Joshua Wayne and Amy (Daughter-in-law), Ashley Lauren and Ryan (Son-in-law), Theodore Storm, Michaelangelo Canon and Juleona (Daughter-in-law), Mark Anthony Canon and Richelle (Daughter-in-law); And his Great Grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Grayson David, MarcAnthony Lee and Rayne Noelle; and a host of bonus grandchildren, great grandchildren and beloved cousins and friends.

We would like to say a special thank you to his lifelong best friends: Darlene Johnson and Don Parsons; to his pallbearers: Keith Potts, Harold Boatright, Joe Brunson, Don Parson, Mel Maycole, Calvin Mobley, Lavern Collier, Harry Faulkner, Max Vinson, and Edsel Smith. Lastly, to the Hospice Community and Palliative Care Workers, thank you for loving him like your own. This world is a better place because of you.

Services will be held on Friday August 9, 2024 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 7673 Collins Road.

Visitation will begin at 10am and the service at 11am. Lunch is being provided by the family but if you’d like to contribute we would be grateful for homemade desserts (Herbert’s favorite).

Lastly, in lieu of flowers we ask you to consider making a charitable donation to Grayson David’s foundation, Splash Academy, which will directly benefit a local child in need. Use this link to Donate and Educate yourself and please dedicate this gift to Papa Herb: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/splashacademydonationform/