Mr. James Franklin (“Smitty”) Smith

“Servant of God Well Done” 

Mr. James Franklin Smith, the son of the late Paul and Lula Elliott Smith, departed from this earthly life on Monday,January 2, 2023 at his home.  Born April 14, 1933 on the Cherokee Plantation, James later moved to the Roadside community, both of Yemassee, South Carolina.  He received his public education in the public schools and graduated from Colleton High School.  

Upon his graduation, James entered the workforce and began working at the Hill Truck Stop in Yemassee, South Carolina. For many many years, James was truly a key player in their operation.  He was the maintenance specialist and provided transportation for all of the employees of Hill’s Truck Stopwhich operated 24/7.   All day and all night long, James kept the business operation running smoothly.   Seeking a career change, James decided he wanted to be in law enforcement. He attended and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina.  This accomplishment would lead him to serve as a deputy sheriff for Colleton County.  In this prestigious position, James would become the third African-American to be hired with the agency under the leadership of the late Sheriff John I. Seigler.  Entering the early 1980’s, James decided it was time to lay his badge, hat, and uniform down and retire from the Sheriff’s Office. Remembering his teachings from his youth, James believed in the concept of, “Never put all your eggs in one basket.”  While serving the Sheriff’s Department, James established and opened his own, Roadside “Smith’s” Grocery Store, in his native home of the Roadside Community in Yemassee, South Carolina.   At this grocery store, people would stop by as they traveled to get gas, purchase lunch meat, pudding, drinks, or whatever you could think of.  This business would be the highlight of the community and his life until March 2018.  

In 1987, on a glorious day, there was a beautiful woman by the name of Naomi, who caught the eyes of James, while she was shopping for shoes at Novits Shoe Store of Walterboro.  James, however, was not shopping for shoes, and Naomi never bought any shoes.  The rest of that story is history!  James and Naomi have been happily married for over forty-four years and have shared a lifetime of love, unity, and being there for one another. 

Everyone who knew James knew that as far as the physical things, there was only one thing that he loved more than his grocery store, and that was his green 1967 Ford Galaxy 500 that he purchased brand new.  Unfortunately, in November 2021, his precious car was destroyed in a fire at his residence, and this would crush James and leave him at a loss for words.  His wife Naomi would encourage him and say, “I am sorry that the car was destroyed, but I am glad that you are okay. Your life is more important, and I’m glad you are alive.  

As a man of great accomplishments, he was an even greater man of faith.  At an early age, he became a member of the Mount Nebo Baptist Church and would remain faithful in his service to the church and God, until his health began to decline.  Affectionately known as “Smith”, “Lonnie”, and even “Smitty”,to know James or be in his presence was a true honor. Through all that he did and experienced, he was a true man of wisdom and knowledge. He was a peoples’ person and would do anything to help anyone.  His remarkable demeanor and character will forever reign in the hearts of all who knew him.  

During the evening hours of January 2, 2023, a golden heart stopped beating and his hard-working hands were laid to rest, as James departed from the earthly shores of time to enter eternity. Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by, twin brother, John Smith, and one sister, Pearlena Brown. 

Left to embrace the work of this wonderful soldier, are: loving wife, Naomi Smith; nieces: Adline  Williams, Melissa (Rev. Dr. Secaida) Howell, Lynn (Horace) Butler and Alexis Butler; nephews: Henry L. (Innis) Brown, Louis Brown, Reverend Gerry O. (Joanne) Brown, Anthony (Virginia) Brown, Secaida Howell, Trey Butler, Braxton Howell, Patterson Howell, Christian Butler, and a special friend, Myrtle Murray, along with a host of numerous other relatives and friends.  

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