Justice D. "Jay" Smyth III

TUSCALOOSA - Jay Smyth, age 62, a beloved resident of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died on Friday, February 10, 2017. He will be missed greatly by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Born in Verdun, France on January 18, 1955, Jay was many things to many people. He was loving, caring, kind-hearted, and generous; a loyal friend, counselor, son, brother, father, uncle, and, perhaps most notably, husband to his sweet wife Rushan.
Jay is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret "Peggy" Smyth and sister-in-law Teresa "Sissy" Smyth.
He is survived by Rushan Goodson Smyth, his wife of nearly 34 years, and their sons Justice (Morgan), and Jeff (Robin); his father, J.D. "Buddy" Smyth, Jr.; brothers, Mark, David (Becky), and Randy (Kathy); mother and father in-law, Jean and John Goodson; nephews Michael Smith, Estes McLemore (Jessica), Goodson McLemore, and Rann Smyth; nieces Shanleigh Smith Walton (Patrick), Courtney Smyth, and Suzanne Smyth Green (Mitch); great-nephew, Patrick James Walton, Jr; great-niece, Caroline Harper Green; and his "stand-in grandchildren", Jonesy and Macready Musgrove.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 with visitation one hour prior to the service. The burial will follow at the cemetery of Bethel Baptist Church in Brent, Ala. at 2 p.m. with Memory Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, A Dignity Memorial Provider directing.
Jay received his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Alabama, where he was active in Student Government and Theta Chi Fraternity. He was also a member of the JASONS Senior Men's Honorary, Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalists, Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honorary, Delta Theta Phi Legal Honorary, and the Group.
Following graduation from law school in 1980, Jay practiced in Montgomery for 19 years before relocating to Tuscaloosa. He was respected by the Bench and Bar in both locales and throughout the State of Alabama. What's more, he was beloved by his clients – a true rarity for a lawyer.
The foundation of his life was his unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Among the verses that best exemplify his daily walk is Deuteronomy 31:6 which reads, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified [of adversaries] for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never forsake you."
His many hobbies included writing and telling stories, reading about and studying American history, discussing politics, spending time in the mountains or at the lake, grilling on the back porch, being outdoors during the fall, and cheering on the Crimson Tide. Without a doubt, though, his favorite moments were spent with his family, regardless of the activity.
Jay leaves behind a legacy of Love for Jesus Christ, God's Word, family, friends, and country.
As the Word he loved says in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Active pallbearers will be Michael Smith, Estes McLemore, Goodson McLemore, Rann Smyth, Collins Compere, and Patrick Walton.
Honorary pallbearers include Mark Smyth, David Smyth, Randy Smyth, Cal Goodson, Dr. Curt McLemore, Mike Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Forrest Flemming, Dr. Jeff Anderson, Dr. Mark Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Swindal, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Musgrove, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Leavell, Rod Wilkin, Brian Hardenbergh, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Koep, Rev. and Mrs. Steve Britt, Rev. and Mrs. Charlie Martin, Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence Phipps, Hon. Walt Maddox, Dr. Robert Witt, partners and staff of Lewis, Smyth & Ford, LLC, and the Joe Wallace Sunday School class.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope Heals, P.O. Box 1183, Culver City, CA 90232 or through the Donate page at hopeheals.com.