Johnny Frank Smith, Sr.

Johnny Frank Smith, Sr, of Stanton, Alabama died on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at UAB St. Vincents Chilton in Clanton, Alabama at the age of 80. 

He was born in Stanton on January 11, 1944, to the late Jesse T. Smith and the late Julia Chism Smith.

Johnny attended the Stanton Christian School and graduated from Maplesville High School in 1962. After graduating high school, Johnny attended Shelton State Community College where he received his technical career certificate in welding and general maintenance. He worked for Union Camp in Thorsby, Alabama for most of his working life until his retirement in 2006. He was known as “Uncle John” to all of his co-workers.

In 1964 he married the love of his life, Jewel Leevon Gandy Smith, they were married for 54 years until her passing in 2018. Together they built a life not of luxury, but of love. Johnny and Jewel spent every moment of their time together after his retirement until her passing. Johnny was a man of few words, but the words he spoke were ones that were always full of wisdom.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Johnny was affectionately known as “BawBaw”. He had an unending love for them all and they did for him as well. Most all of them spent many summers at Nanny and BawBaw’s playing and learning life lessons in wood work, car maintenance, yard work, and eating his famous homemade peanut butter crackers.

He leaves behind his children, Barbara (Stan) Justice, Delene Smith, Randall (Vicki) Smith, Johnny “Frank” (Jean) Smith, Jr., David (Connie) Smith, and Loretta Smith Averette; 21 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sisters, Joanne Milam, Dorothy Bone, and Glenda (John Earl) Short; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jewel Leevon Gandy Smith; grandson, Michael Melton; granddaughter-in-law, Tonya Smith; and his sister, Willodean Smith.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Maplesville Methodist Cemetery with his grandson, Shane Ogle officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Ben Smith, Christopher Smith, Shane Ogle, Joshua Smith, Coby Atchison. Jake Jones, Casey Atchison, and Scott Melton. 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home in Selma.

The family requests no flowers, please make contributions to the Maplesville Methodist Church.