Rev. Dr. Johnny James Smith, age 72, passed away Tuesday, September 19, 2023. A Homego-ing service was held Saturday, Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. at Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the Cross-Green Community with Rev. Michael Thomas officiating. Interment followed at Green Cemetery in Midville. A public viewing was held Friday, Sept. 29, from 12 to 6:30 p.m. at Jogresan Mortuary, Inc. in Wadley.
Rev. Dr. Johnny James Smith was born in Emanuel County, the oldest child of Claudie Mae Smith Brooks and the youngest adopted son of Annie Lou Stephens. Growing up in the Cross-Green Community rewarded him with many skills and talents, including being the best or worst at driving, an accurate shooter, and excellent in most skills. Smart and inquisi-tive as a student, he was always eager to learn new things. With those he knew, his conver-sations could be endless and warming with his radiant smile and silly laugh at statements that he thought were funny. He was very close friends with Solomon Greene, and later, Lind-sey Mills. His life in Cross-Green with his adopted mom, Aunt Lou, and family helped shape his life in many ways. He joined Piney Grove Church at an early age, attending regularly. This provided a platform for him to receive Christ as his personal Savior as a young adult. Rev. Dr. Smith is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Lester Kinsey, Henry Stephens, Sadie Roberson, and Jamel Roberson.
Rev. Dr. Smith leaves to cherish his memories with his children, Shawn Nicole Smith, Lawshe Dickerson Smith, Rico Terrance Vann of Atlanta, Samantha Feraghat of Metro-Atlanta and Keonta Clark of Sylvania; siblings, Rufus Sr. (Sandra) Stephens, Iris (Vernon/deceased) Tru-ell, Norsserlene (George) Anderson of Miami, FL, Nazerlene Williams of Fort Valley, Brenda E. Wilkerson of Warner Robins, Bernard (Marjorie) Edwards of Miami, FL, Arthur (Angela) Brooks of Miami, FL, Angele B. (Jamison) Davis of Macon, Patricia Brooks of Miami, FL, Na-thaniel (Carolyn) Brooks of Miami, FL and Samuel Brooks of Miami, FL; and a host of grand-children, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Jogresan Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
