Rev. James R. Smith Jr.

The late Rev. James R. Smith Jr. affectionately known by his family and friends as “James” and “Junie” departed this earth on Thursday, November 3, 2022.
“Junie” was born to the late Rev. James R. Smith, Sr., and Mary Louise Butler-Smith on June 23rd, 1947, in Henderson KY. He was baptized at Greater Norris Baptist Church at the age of thirteen under Pastor Austin Bell. He graduated from Henderson City High School in 1965. Rev. Smith, Jr. was drafted into the army after graduation and received an honorable discharge. He graduated with an Associate degree from Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL in 1975.
Rev. Smith, Jr. attended the Trinity Bible College and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, IN, and received an Associate Degree in Bible Studies in November 1990. He announced his calling in March 1997 under the late Rev. Dr. J.D. Marks in Evansville IN. Rev. Smith, Jr. was licensed to preach on August 3rd, 1997, in Henderson, KY by Rev. Connie Baltzell of Calvary Baptist Church. In 2009 Rev. Smith, Jr. enrolled in the Simmons College of Kentucky in Louisville, KY where he was awarded a certificate of religious study on May 19, 2012. Upon arriving in Louisville, KY in 2009, Rev. Smith, Jr. began to attend and later joined membership with the Guiding Star Baptist Church where the Rev. Dr. E. E. Heard was Pastor and ordained Rev. James R. Smith, Jr. on October 21st, 2012.
Rev. Smith, Jr. worked at Firestone in Henderson KY, City Hall in Rockford IL, Nashville TN School System and retired from the Louisville KY School System.
Rev. James R. Smith, Jr. was an Associate Minister and interim Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson, KY as well as interim Associate Pastor at Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Evansville, IN. At his time of death, he served as the Associate Minister of the Guiding Star Baptist Church in Louisville, KY where he taught Men’s Bible Study and performed the call to worship for Sunday Morning Services.
Rev. Smith, Jr. loved his family and friends dearly. He loved meeting new people and spreading the word of the gospel, never met a stranger. His love for helping others and his smile will be forever remembered.
Rev. Smith, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents: Rev. James R, Smith Sr., and Mary Louise Butler Smith. His maternal grandparents: Bessie Mae Taylor Butler and Willie Bell Butler Sr.; two sisters Sondra Francis and Pearl Smith; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins; grandparents Hallie Lester and Hurley Smith, Bessie Mae Taylor- Butler (Willie Bell Butler Sr.); and Great Aunt Pearl Harris as well as two grandchildren Jamar Butts and Purvis Tanner.
Rev. Smith Jr. is survived by his daughter Linda (Kenneth) Curry, Janet Dowthard, Richard Johnson, Yvette (Michael), Smith, Hasan Smith, (Natina) and Micah Smith.
Rev. Smith, Jr. leaves to cherish his loving 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, Uncle Harold Smith and Uncle Henry Smith; host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. James leaves to cherish his longtime girlfriend Dorothea Carree whom he loved dearly and who held a special place in his heart.
Rev. Smith, Jr. leaves to cherish his siblings Hallie (Grant) Marshall, Mary Dixon, William Smith, Lillie (Robert) Pruitt, and Robert “Bobby” Smith.

A Special Thank you to St. Anthony Hospice, Nurse Stephanie and her staff, Mrs. Maureen Hatchet and Ms. Marian Menefee for your love, kindness, and support during our time of need for our beloved brother, father, uncle, nephew and cousin, and friend Rev. James R. Smith, Jr.
Acknowledgments: The family of Rev. R. Smith Jr. appreciates the many prayers, visits, texts, messages, phone calls, and many other expressions of kindness and love shown towards our family. Please continue to pray for our family as we continue this journey of life without our beloved Junie.
Corinthians 11: Walk by faith and not by sight”
Psalm 121: All my help comes from the lord; Psalm 121