SULPHUR – Joseph Lee “Smitty” Smith, Jr., passed away on Aug. 21, 2021, in his residenc surrounded his residence surrounded by his family. He was born on Feb. 15, 1935, to his late parents, Joseph Lee Smith Sr. and Emily Doucet Smith.

Smitty was a resident of Sulphur most of his life. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. In the 1960s, Smitty started his own business, “Smitty’s”, a full service Citgo gas station on the corner of Burton and Huntington St and then later acquired the Citgo station with the Robo Carwash on Ruth St. Smitty was also a commercial fisherman for many years. He later opened Smitty’s Inspection & Tire Service on Post Oak Rd. and retired at the age of 85. Smitty was always known as a hard worker with a great work ethic.

Smitty loved Jesus, and would witness to his customers about the Holy Ghost and Jesus name Baptism. He was a member of the Apostolic Temple Pentecostal Church in Lake Charles. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Those left to cherish his memory are, his children, Valarie Wideman (Clarke) of Sulphur, Joseph “Joey” Lee Smith III (Arlene) of Sulphur, Rhonda Yanes (Primeaux) of Moss Bluff, Ashley Callahan (Benjamin) of Clear Lake, Texas; grandchildren, Joshua Crawford (Ester), Jamie Perkins (Dylan), Joseph Lee Smith IV (Heather), Jeremy Lee Smith, Myrthel Villaver Smith, Alisha Duhon, Allison Duhon, Steve Duhon, Austin Guy; great-grandchildren, Joseph Lee Smith V, Jenalie Smith, Kinley Smith, Arriana Smith, Adelyn Smith, Jeremiah Smith, Joshua Crawford II, Dakota Crawford, Zachary Perkins, Avary Perkins, Alisia, Alexia & Ashton, Tatum Guy, Harlow Guy; host of great great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Wanda Karr and son, Daniel Karr; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother of his children, Delores Fontenot; grandson, Trent Michael Guy; his siblings, Helen Monceaux, Johnny Smith, Maudry Thompson, Mildred Savant, Mercedese Abshire

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Apostolic Temple Pentecostal Church in Lake Charles. Pastor Rick Treece will officiate. Interment will follow in Mimosa Pines South Cemetery under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.