Joe Louis Smith, Jr.

Obituary: Mr. Joe Louis Smith, Jr. 67, was born October 24,1950 in Queens, New York, he was the son of the late Joe L. Smith, Sr. and Barbara R. Smith. On Monday, March 26, 2018, at Warriors Walk, Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center,Columbia, SC, he quietly passed away. Mr. Smith grew up in the tight-knit community of Southside Jamaica Queens, New York. He was affectionately called "Cottie" by his family and "Smitty" or "Joe Louis" by friends. At a young age he embarked upon Karate and over time became a ninth-degree black belt. He taught Karate in the street as well as Dojo. He loved playing chess and enjoyed a good challenge. He was also a DJ who made a name for himself and was legendary for playing music in the park as well as in clubs. He had gifted hands and often hand-made his speakers from scratch. He loved playing handball, roller skating, and unique words like "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." During his life he attended John Adams High School, Ozone Park, NY and from there joined the United States Air Force and later on became a New York City Department of Corrections Officer (NYCD) on Riker's Island. It was during this time he acquired the love and began developing his passion for cameras and taking pictures of people. As years passed he relocated to South Carolina and worked for the State of South Carolina Department of Corrections, State Hospital, and during this time he became a professional photographer, continuing to develop his skill-set for taking pictures and use of a camera, also obtained his CDL License and started driving trucks and was employed with G&P Trucking Co., Inc., Columbia, SC at the time of his passing. He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Cheryl D. Smith; and a grandson, Devin K. Smith. Mr. Joe Louis Smith, Jr. leaves to mourn his passing: his children; Joe L. Smith, III, of Manchester, NJ, Terry (Trinette) Capone, of Columbia, SC, and Barbara R. Smith, of Far Rockaway, NY; one brother, James (Marietta) Smith, of Lugoff, SC; one sister, Deborah Graham, of Columbia, SC; eight grandchildren, Tarnisa Capone, Ebony Capone, Rahem Batts, Aniya Harper, Olivia Harper, Madison, Harper, Lincoln LaCaille, and Lucas LaCaille; one aunt, M. Joyce Fye, of Lugoff, SC; his beloved dog, Caesar; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives, and special friends, all of whom cared for him deeply and will miss him dearly. Services: Funeral services for Joe Louis Smith, Jr. will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 6, 2018 at the JP Holley Funeral Home, Columbia Chapel. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday, April 6, 2018 at the funeral home.