Jimmie Lee Smith
February 19, 1946 – March 7, 2023

When I was a little girl, you’d often tell me you didn’t believe you’d live pass 50 years old. Well, thankfully God had other plans! At 50, you were asked by my fiancé for my hand in marriage at the surprise proposal. At 51, you walked me down the aisle at my wedding ceremony. At 52, you helped celebrate the exciting birth of my first baby, your beloved granddaughter. At 58, you were overjoyed by the birth of my second child, your first and only grandson. Year after year, you watched me and my family grow and encouraged us along the way. You had such joy watching us live our lives. You spent precious time with us, and we made an invaluable collection of memories!

I’m forever grateful for the time God gave me with you. He constantly reminds me of the things you taught me. Many of the lessons came from our long talks and others by your life experiences. I like to call them my JimStones. Moma always said, “You’re just like your Daddy!” As life goes on, I understand more and more what that really means. You imparted a legacy full of dreams, creativity, common sense, style, hard work, lifelong education, entrepreneurship, perseverance, good food, family, and, most of all, enduring love.

I admire how you accepted each day as a challenge and kept pushing right up to your last breath on Earth. I know you weren’t ready to go, but I also know you’d been missing Moma and she’d been waiting on you. I can only imagine the big grins on your faces as you entered the room so fly with your cool stride. I especially can’t help but think of her radio playlist cued up for you – Reunited by Peaches & Herb, Let’s Stay Together by Al Green, Our Love by Natalie Cole, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Soul Heaven by Johnnie Taylor, Oh Happy Day by Edwin Hawkins Singers, and Got to Give It Up by Marvin Gaye.

So as Moma would say, “It’s a sho nuff party now y’all!”

Dance on Daddy & Moma!

Love you!

Until we meet again,
Hope