Collis Paul Smith

Passed on Friday January 28, 2011

Atlanta, GA

Collis Paul was born on January 14, 1935 in Tiptonville, TN to Reather Lewis and Frank Smith. Collis was the older brother of Samuel Richard Smith. At a young age he welcomed his lord and savior, Jesus Christ into his life through baptism.

Collis attended the Lauderdale County School System and graduated from Lauderdale County High School in 1954. After earning his high school diploma, Collis enlisted in The United States Air Force. After being stationed between Texas and Alaska, where he said a man would be crazy to want live, Collis was Honorably discharged after completing four years of military service in 1958.

Later in 1958, after having his military pictures sold for a profit by his rambunctious younger brother Sam to female students in a teacher named Cynthia Green’s class, Collis had the coincidental fortune of later being introduced to his future soul mate Cynthia Green by mutual friends. After dating and realizing that life seemed much sweeter with one another, Collis and Cynthia married on December 22, 1958. It was during this time that their first two children were born while Collis attended Tennessee State University. After graduating with a BS Degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1963, Collis worked with an engineering firm until one certain animal chased him indoors into the classroom. Living in states from Maryland to California, Collis taught Architectural Drafting within various school systems.

Finally settling in Chicago, Illinois Collis taught school for many years at Lane Tech High School before finally retiring from Chicago Vocational School (CVS) in 1999. Forever young at heart, Collis felt the need to stay in the classroom after retiring by subbing as needed. Eventually his entrepreneurial spirit took over and he ventured into owning his own convenience store and auto buying.

After believing that their best years in Chicago were far behind, Collis and Cynthia set off to Atlanta, Georgia in 2002 for retirement enjoyment. Although far away from other family members that he truly loved, he stayed in constant contact with them as well.

It is a joy to state that Collis lived an extremely wonderful, happy, and fun filled life up until the moment that his father called him home on January 28, 2011. In his passing he has left to live until he is joined by them, his wonderful wife of 52 years, Cynthia Smith, three sons, Paul Arnold Smith, Pratt Michael Smith, and Patrick Eric Smith (Maia Smith), eleven grandchildren, Candace Smith, Jeremy Johnson, Chynna Smith, Kristen Smith, Pratt Michael Smith, Jr, Kayla Smith, Nicholas Moore, Tiara Smith, Nia Smith, Taronn Smith, and Nasir Smith. As well, Collis leaves behind sister in laws Elma Pender, Annie Jean Shaw, Rosie Green, and Patricia Smith, along with two brother-in laws, Phillip Pender and Forrest Shaw. Collis also leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, all of whom Collis will have an everlasting impact of life on.

Collis Paul is predeceased in death by his parents Reather Lewis, and Frank Smith, his brother Samuel Richard Smith.