Lester D. Smith Sr.

Lester Dawson Smith Sr., (Smitty), age 89 of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2014. He was born in Elmore County Alabama on August 17, 1925 to Andrew Jackson Smith and Lula Lee Austin Smith. Raised in Sylacauga he graduated from B.B. Comer High School. He moved to Birmingham in 1941 at the age of 16. A year later he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served proudly in both World War II and the Korean War. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves after 35 years of service. After World War II he returned to Birmingham and began his career with U.S. Steel from which he retired after 40 years of service.

He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, the former Betty Jean Cliffe of Birmingham; Alabama, a daughter Betty Michele Smith of Auburn, Alabama; a granddaughter Katie Britton of Birmingham, Alabama; brothers Delton Smith, Talmadge Smith, Joe Smith, and David Smith; sisters Adell Ray¸ Masie Gassaway, and Lula Fay Lewis. He is survived by sons Kenneth Jewett Cliffe Smith, Lester Dawson Smith, Jr., (Amy); daughters Linda Britton, Susan Merritt, Cheryl Smith; a twin brother Vester Smith, and a brother Doyle Smith; as well as nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

In addition, the family would like to recognize his many friends from the Golden Corral.

Dad loved his family deeply. He loved to laugh as well as make others laugh. He enjoyed singing, dancing and playing the harmonica. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. The funeral Services will be held on Friday the 5th at 2pm, the visitation will be the 4th from 6pm to 8pm, both at Southern Heritage Funeral Home.