James Bernard Smith

James Bernard Smith was born February 4, 1965 in Yazoo City , Mississippi to Lorraine Smith and James Kimble. He passed away June 5, 2025. At the age of 18 months he and his mother moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to be with his great grandparents, Sylvester and Willie Mae Smith. He attended Cincinnati Public Schools where he excelled in academics and sports. James accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Southern Baptist Church and served as a church deacon. He later united with Providence Baptist Church under Pastor Bruce E. Malcom. James was loved by everyone he met with his outgoing and charismatic personality. He loved studying astrology, hanging out with his" Lil Sis" as he would say and watching sports. He was an avid football fan. James was the father of two sons, James Demarcus Bell and Deonte Lashawn Bell with Arvella Bell Washington. He was preceded in death by his devoted mother, Lorraine Smith; youngest son, Deonte Lashawn Bell, brother -in -law, Walter Bledsoe and grandparents. He leaves to cherish his memory his son, James Bell sisters, Sophia Bledsoe of Cincinnati, Oh and Tonya Ayers ( John) of Louisville, Ky; aunts , Mildred Moore (Willie) of Chicago, IL and Yolonda Evette Smith  of Cincinnati, Oh; niece, Santana Benton; nephew, Qua'mauri Turnbolt; father, James Kimble; 11 grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

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