Obituary for Otis Smedley Jr.
Otis Smedley, Jr., also known as “Jr” by many family and friends, was born on March 11, 1941, to Otis Smedley and Vonceal Smedley in Five Points, Alabama. He departed his earthly life on April 19, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Otis accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was a faithful member of Antioch Primitive Baptist until his health restrictions prevented him from attending.
Otis was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools and graduated from Howard High School, class of 1959. He was a loyal and dedicated employee of Dixie Savings Warehouse for 40 years before retiring when the business closed. Unable to be idle for long, he soon returned to work at Southern Filter Media, retiring after 20 years of employment.
Otis had a huge, loving, kind, giving heart and gently guided his family that consisted not only of those of his bloodline, but also extended to countless friends he always made to feel like a part of his family. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed bowling, golf, fishing, the Florida State football team, and his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He was most proud of being an expert griller. Otis was a person that everyone who knew him always had something positive to say about him. He met no strangers.
Otis was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Smedley and Vonceal Brison Clark; brothers, Ocre Smedley and Douglas Clark; and sisters, Anarene Smedley and Brenda Smedley McCloud; best friend/brother of the heart, Steve Montgomery.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 61 years, Hiawatha Smedley; son, Gary Smedley (Stephanie); three daughters, Katie Joshen (Dexter), Michelle Smedley, and Bridgette Smedley; five grandchildren, Christopher Smedley, Jessica Torey, Joshua Barby, Jocelyn Barby, and Ashley Smedley, all of Chattanooga; seven great-grandchildren, Christopher Smedley, Jr., Joshua C. Barby, Sharreiff Horton, Jr., Carmello Smedley, Jhene Barby, Gracelyn Horton, and Joshua Barby, Jr.; brother, Eugene Smedley (Gail) of Birmingham, AL; sister, Minister Rosalyn Smedley of Chattanooga; a host of extended family members, relatives, friends, and family of the heart.
Public viewing will be held 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Thursday May 4, 2023 at the John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
A 12:00 PM funeral service will be held at Olivet Baptist Church, 740 E MLK Blvd. on Friday, May 5, 2023.
Interment: Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Otis accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and was a faithful member of Antioch Primitive Baptist until his health restrictions prevented him from attending.
Otis was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools and graduated from Howard High School, class of 1959. He was a loyal and dedicated employee of Dixie Savings Warehouse for 40 years before retiring when the business closed. Unable to be idle for long, he soon returned to work at Southern Filter Media, retiring after 20 years of employment.
Otis had a huge, loving, kind, giving heart and gently guided his family that consisted not only of those of his bloodline, but also extended to countless friends he always made to feel like a part of his family. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed bowling, golf, fishing, the Florida State football team, and his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He was most proud of being an expert griller. Otis was a person that everyone who knew him always had something positive to say about him. He met no strangers.
Otis was preceded in death by his parents, Otis Smedley and Vonceal Brison Clark; brothers, Ocre Smedley and Douglas Clark; and sisters, Anarene Smedley and Brenda Smedley McCloud; best friend/brother of the heart, Steve Montgomery.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 61 years, Hiawatha Smedley; son, Gary Smedley (Stephanie); three daughters, Katie Joshen (Dexter), Michelle Smedley, and Bridgette Smedley; five grandchildren, Christopher Smedley, Jessica Torey, Joshua Barby, Jocelyn Barby, and Ashley Smedley, all of Chattanooga; seven great-grandchildren, Christopher Smedley, Jr., Joshua C. Barby, Sharreiff Horton, Jr., Carmello Smedley, Jhene Barby, Gracelyn Horton, and Joshua Barby, Jr.; brother, Eugene Smedley (Gail) of Birmingham, AL; sister, Minister Rosalyn Smedley of Chattanooga; a host of extended family members, relatives, friends, and family of the heart.
Public viewing will be held 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Thursday May 4, 2023 at the John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
A 12:00 PM funeral service will be held at Olivet Baptist Church, 740 E MLK Blvd. on Friday, May 5, 2023.
Interment: Hamilton Memorial Gardens.