James Paul Smith Jr. was born August 8th 1950 in Augusta, GA to James P. and Mary Helen Smith. Although he was a New Yorker through and through he spent his formative years in South Carolina with his Grandmother Mattie Houston and Grandfather, Luther Houston. He later moved to Queens. NY with his mother and step father, Louis Walden,, brother and sister.
James grew up in the church, Mt. Zion in South Carolina and later joined Maranatha Baptist Church where he was baptised. James attended Edison Vocational H.S. and attended York College. He was always trying to provide better opportunities for himself by attending school for certification and licensing in building and mechanics.
Those who know him well, know him affectionately as “Teddy.” There is little doubt James was a hard worker. He held several jobs in his lifetime, such as sales representative for National Distiller, airline worker, construction worker, truck driver, electrician, ice cream owner, and lastly his final job for 35 years at the Queens Public Library. At QPL he started as a janitor in 1981 and held titles in Building Operations such as building maintainer, supervisor of building operations and building mechanic. He held several engineering certifications with the State of New York. He retired from his position at the library in 2016.
James married his wife Gladys Smith in 1979. Gladys is the sister of his best friend Willie Smith and they knew each other since he was 13. James and Gladys have two children, Ayana and Sade.
Upon retirement James moved to Virginia with his wife. In retirement, James had the opportunity to get the rest that he needed and spent time surrounded by his family closeby.
He took God’s hand on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
James is survived by his daughters, Ayana (Khalid) Brickhouse, Alexandria, VA, and Sade (Adam) Edwards; two grandchildren, Josephine and Luca Brickhouse; sister, Mattie (Owen) Henfield, Aunt, Terry Wallace, Mother-in-law, Lethella Smith, a nephew, several nieces, grand nephews and nieces, cousins.,brother in-laws, sister in-laws and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends at the Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 on Sunday, Septeber 20, 2020 from 11 AM until his Life Celebration at 1:00 PM.
Zoom Video Conferencing Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 972 2845 9064 (Zoom starts at 12:45P)
His interment will be at Mount Comfort Cemetery on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 10:30 AM
811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
09/20/2020
11:00am - 1:00pm
Our memories of Teddy goes as far back as 1979 , the year we both got married to our true soulmates, who so happened to best friends. He and I became fused at the hip and remained friends to the very end. His passing represents to us the end of an era which reflects a partnership of sharing family events from child birth to anniversaries. Teddy was a significant part of our family and large circle of friends. He was extremely witty and had a sense of humor that was infectious. He will be missed but absolutely never forgotten. The many times we spent together as a foursome were both life changing and the best times of our lives. The Gladys/Teddy & Pat/George quartet, was always a harmonious sound that only we shared together over four decades. While his suffering has changed to peace our memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.
Rest in power my brother!
Love,
Pat & George
Pat & George
Thanks so much for the comforting words and for always being there. I thought we would get one last chance to play cards, but not so. However, the memories will live forever. I cherish the moments we shared together. Thanks for all that you do and being dear friends.
Sharing your sadness as you prepare to say goodbye to your love one. May you draw comfort from God as he help you to cope with the heavy weight of your loss. Thinking of you all.
Thank you so much.
The Smith-Brickhouse-Edwards Family