James A. Smith, Jr. age 85, passed away on November 3, 2020. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Katie Sue Smith, his son, Randy Smith, his parents, James A. & Marie Smith, Sr., his brother, Albert Lee Smith (Carolyn), his sister, Alma Jean Holland. He is survived by his sons, Dewayne Smith, Timothy Smith, & Kenneth Wayne Hays, his daughter, Deborah Hays Yarborough, a granddaughter, Randi Smith, & his brothers, J. G. Kramer (Elizabeth) & Robert C. Smith (Pam), a sister-in-law, Mildred Parrish, & nephew, Ronnie Parrish. He retired from Special Forces U.S. Army, Korea & Vietnam. James was a master mechanic, & retired from Alabama Gas Corporation. He was a member of Mt. Brook Baptist Church in Hayden, AL. James was a VFW member, animal lover, "self-appointed-not-so-official " honorary patron & greeter at the Whitehouse Restaurant, & a loving husband, brother & friend. The visitation is Saturday November 7, 2020 from 1:30-3:00 PM at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 PM., with burial to follow at Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers are: Matt Ash, J. W. Bertram, David Cochran, Hunter Gann, Ken Gann, Ronnie Parrish (Honorary), Ray Majors and Ryan Scott.
