Ben H Smith, Jr.

Ben Hill Smith, Jr. DDS, age 99, passed away on August 3, 2016. Dr. Smith was born in Ensley and had lived a number of years in Vestavia Hills. He was a graduate of Fairfield High School and Auburn University (API). He received his dental training at Atlanta Southern School of Dentistry (now Emory University). Shortly after graduation, he was inducted into the Army and served in World War II in the Aleutian Islands, the European Theater, and was in route to the Pacific Theater when the war ended. He remained in the Army Reserves and retired as a Colonel. He practiced dentistry in Birmingham for more than 40 years. Dr. Smith was predeceased by his father, Ben Hill Smith, SR.; his mother, Nell Auston Smith; brother, Roland Smith and his sister, Dorothy Adams. He is survived by his wife, Annette Cheatham Smith; nephews, Rody Smith, Jad Smith (Theresa), Howard Henry English, Hal Cheatham (Judy) and Patrick Cheatham (Donna); nieces, Lynne Isom (Ed), Rachael Pickens, Jan Smith, Cynthia Norfleet Ellis (J.D.), Joan Cheatham and a number of great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his devoted care giver, Dorothy Arnold. He was a member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church where he served as a permanent usher for many years. In the past, he has been a volunteer for a number of civic and charitable organizations. He was especially interested in camp ASCCA and worked for this group for a number of years. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Avenue on Monday, August 8, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. prior to the service, in the ante-room of the chapel. Ted Leach and James Williams will officiate. Any memorial can be made to the charity of your choice