Sir Tony Lee Smith was a man that leaves the world better than he found it; one whose love for his family was immeasurable. He was always generous and cared for others more than he did for himself. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

Tony’s story began September 6, 1961 in Mobile, AL when he was born to William Smith II and Viola Smith. He was raised in the church attending Little Welcome Baptist Church where his grandfather was Assistant Pastor. As a young boy he was known for being seen from afar due to the many bright reflectors on his bicycle. Tony would continue to shine bright in people’s lives for the remainder of his life. In addition, he began his love for fixing things including bicycles, toys, and lawnmowers. His strong work ethic began with his first jobs as a teenager cutting grass and delivering newspapers which allowed him to purchase his first car. It was also in his early years that he became an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Tony attended Ella Grant and Bessie C. Fonville Elementary Schools and Booker T. Washington Middle School. He then matriculated to Toulminville High School where he excelled at playing football and running track. During his high school years, he also met his future wife. After leaving high school in 1979, he went to Job Corps where he trained as a diesel mechanic. He then began working as a mechanic at Butler and Company for two years before leaving to work at Service Master as a crew chief. Tony was known as a “permanent fixture” at Service Master due to his long tenure of 38 years. He was well respected as the employee who was always dependable, hard-working, generous, and dedicated. He was more than a colleague to those with whom he worked. He was a true friend. In addition to working at Service Master, Tony also volunteered his time to help others in need often working on cars or installing flooring out of the kindness of his heart.

Anyone who knows Tony also knows that in the forefront of his life was his family. He married Monica Smith in 1981 and their union of 32 years produced two wonderful daughters Sharetta and Chanetta and three granddaughters Chloe, Zoe, and Skyler whom he cherished. His favorite moments in life involved taking trips, fishing, going to football games, and going to the movies with his “girls”. To his daughters, Tony was their superhero and the parent who never told them no. His granddaughters saw him as more than a grandfather and thought of him as selfless, caring, and hard-working. He was a dedicated family man and it was reflected in the love they had for him. In addition, Tony enjoyed being with his best friend whom he called brother since childhood Garry Hudson. Tony remained dedicated to his friend helping to care for him and taking him to his doctor’s appointments until his passing a few years ago.

Tony was preceded in death by his mother: Mrs. Viola Williams Smith; grandparents: Rev. Lee and Mrs. Isabella Williams; his beloved brother, best friend: Garry Hudson; his beloved uncles: James A. Sanders, Willie C. Williams, Jacob Williams, Charles Finley, and Jerry Finklin; aunts: Willie B. Apkins, Marguerite Sanders, and Diane Williams; his mother-in-law: Annette Dixon Graham; and special niece: Réjer Finklin.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted daughters: Sharetta and Chanetta Smith; granddaughters: Chloe, Zoe, and Skyler Smith; brothers: William (Cherylyn) Smith III, Aaron (Bernadette) Hudson, Sr., and Glenn Hudson; one sister: Pamela (Curtis) Cooks; brother-in-law: Joseph Dixon; aunts: Beatrice Finley, Rose (Freddy) Moss, Regina Finklin, Mae Ida (Elder Andrew) Carstarphen, Joann Murphy, Shirley Thomas, Lauretta (Dr. Carl) Hutchinson, Deloris (Henry, Jr.) Harper, Joyce (Clayton) Young, Anita (John) Jackson, and Rhonda (Zack, Sr.) Williams; uncles: Overseer Thomas (Amanda) Dixon, Sr., Joe Dixon, Jr., Michael (Samone) Dixon, Winston Thomas, and Leardis Crandall, Sr.; grandmother: Bessie Pearl Hudson; special nieces: Aisha Wright, Danielle Moore, Marilynn Finklin, and Shantrez Wright; special nephews: Troyeusta Apkins, Demarcus Jackson; godparents: Jesse and Jewell Wallace; godchildren: Ticora Hudson, Zaveria Goode, and Ernest Goode III; special family friends: DeWayne McGrew, Norman Lucas and Tom White ; the Service Master family; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A viewing will be held Friday, July 13, 2018 from 1-8 pm at Small’s Mortuary, Mobile. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 9-11am funeral hour at Love Joy Temple Holiness Church, 166 Meaher Street, Prichard, AL.

Interment will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Garden in Theodore, AL.

DIGNIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO SMALL'S MORTUARY, 950 SOUTH BROAD STREET, MOBILE, ALABAMA, 36603.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tony Lee Smith, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.