Joseph Johnson Smith Sr.

Mr. Joseph Johnson Smith Sr., 74, of 635 Ravenswood Road, Hampstead, NC went to be with his Lord on Monday, March 19, 200l in New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC.
A celebration of his life will be held Friday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at Scotts Hill Baptist Church and burial will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens, Wilmington. Reverend Phil Ortego and Reverend Geary Walton will officiate.
His family will receive friends Thursday night from 6-8 p.m. at Andrews Mortuary in Hampstead, NC.
Mr. Smith was born in Hampstead, on October 25, 1926, the son of thelate William Ramp Smith and Virginia Dare Davis Smith. He was lovingly nicknamed ""Hoodley"" by his father.
He was preceded in death by an infant granddaughter, Christy Lynn Smith; four brothers, William Ramp Smith Jr., Marlon Hardin Smith, Bobby Ray Smith Sr., Ronald Davis Smith, and one sister, Norma Smith Reaves.
Surviving are his wife, Betty Murray Smith, of the home; one son, Joseph Johnson Smith Jr., and his wife, Crystal, of Hampstead, and two daughters, Jo Ann Smith Walton, and her husband, Geary, of Raleigh, NC, and Jeanette Smith Edens and her husband, Chris of Scotts Hill, NC. He was ""Dandaddy"" to six grandchildren, Jerry Kevin Walton, his wife, Sandi and her son, Page, Michelle Lesay Walton, Joseph Johnson Smith III, Jeffery Scott Smith and his wife, Erin, Laura Kelly Edens and Christopher Edens Jr.; also survived by his two sisters, Merle ""Chook"" Lea, and Celia Medford and four brothers, Thomas L. Smith, C. Henry Smith, L.D. Smith and Jerry Burns Smith, and manynieces and nephews who loved their uncle Hoodley like a father and grandfather.
Mr. Smith was a member of Scotts Hill Baptist Church. He was a senior deacon, and loved his Lord.
Mr. Smith was part-owner and president of Atlantic Seafood Company incorporated of Hampstead NC. He was a member of the Pender County School Board for 30 years, a member of the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission for 12 years, a member of the Beefmaster, Cattleman's Association, a 32 degree Mason and member of Orient Lodge #395. Because of his love and concern for others, he generously gave of himself as a Sunday School teacher, Boy Scout Leader, community servant and encourager in the Hampstead community.
Pallbearers will be: David M. Howard, Bert Lea Jr., Jack Medford, George D. Murray, Michael R. Piner, Carson H. Smith Jr, and Thomas L. Smith Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be: Richard V. Biberstein Jr., Gene Brown, Ben Halterman, Charles B. Hardee Sr., Earl Henderson, Bob Jerabek, Charles R. King, Jessie Lea Jr., Kenny Lea, Russell Lewis, Bennie Murray, Bobby Murray, Mckinley Nixon, Rodney Owens, Ivey Player, Daniel R. Piner, Tyler Poole Sr. and Charles Sidbury.
Flowers are welcome, however, memorials may be made to Scotts Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, 185 Scotts Hill Loop Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401, or Grace Baptist Church, 15814 Hwy. 50 North, Garner, North Carolina 27529.