Obituary for Leslie ONeal Smith
SGM Leslie O’Neal Smith, a long-time resident of Mobile, AL, was
born June 4, 1939 in Dickinson. AL to Mamie Jones and Felix Smith. He
passed on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Ascension Providence Hospital in
Mobile, AL.
“Smitty,” as he preferred to be called, served in the United States
Army and retired with the rank of Sergeant Major (SGM). He was a
Vietnam Veteran and earned the following medals and awards: National
Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Drill Sgt.
ID Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam
Campaign Medal w/ 60 Device, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm
(Unit), Bronze Star Medal, 3 o/s Bars, Good Conduct Medal (8th Award),
Expert Badge w/Rifle Bar (M-16), Army Commendation Medal w/2
OLC, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional
Development Ribbon, and Meritorious Service Medal.
He was preceded in death by his wives: Charlene Petite and Carolyn M.
McKenzie Smith; six siblings: Leon Portis, Anne Marshall, Bennie Pearl
Portis McClaurin Wilson Brown, Arthur Smith, Robert Smith, Acquilla
Pinkston, and Rosa Nell Rutledge.
Smitty is survived by the following FAMILY: nieces: Reece (Ralph) Bell,
Irma “Bunny” McClaurin, Denise Rutledge, Karen “Kitty” Rutledge,
Carolyn Scott, Andrea Paysinger, Zondra Marshall, Sandra Marshall;
nephews: Captain Rory (Diana) McClaurin, Glenn Eric Marshall, Darryl
Marshall and Brian Smith; several grand and great grand-nieces and
nephews who did not have a chance to know him, but grieve his loss;
other relatives, Eric Petite (son of deceased wife Charlene), Leonardo
McKenzie (grandson of deceased wife Carolyn); and friends: Kelly
“Pipe” Webb, Jr., Donald Diamond, Hilda Carraway, Claudia Crawford,
Lucy Johnson, Phyllis Webb, Wilbur Christmas, Valessa Hagler and
Benjamin “BJay” Pritchett; and the residents and Staff of Vitality
Regency Nursing Home.
“Leslie O’Neal Smith was a Man of Service & Beloved By Many.”
The family of Leslie O’Neal Smith “Smitty” wishes
to express thanks for the expressions of love, support
and friendship during this time of bereavement,
and for any donations made in his memory to the
William F. Green Veterans Home, Bay Minette, AL.
born June 4, 1939 in Dickinson. AL to Mamie Jones and Felix Smith. He
passed on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Ascension Providence Hospital in
Mobile, AL.
“Smitty,” as he preferred to be called, served in the United States
Army and retired with the rank of Sergeant Major (SGM). He was a
Vietnam Veteran and earned the following medals and awards: National
Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Drill Sgt.
ID Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam
Campaign Medal w/ 60 Device, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm
(Unit), Bronze Star Medal, 3 o/s Bars, Good Conduct Medal (8th Award),
Expert Badge w/Rifle Bar (M-16), Army Commendation Medal w/2
OLC, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional
Development Ribbon, and Meritorious Service Medal.
He was preceded in death by his wives: Charlene Petite and Carolyn M.
McKenzie Smith; six siblings: Leon Portis, Anne Marshall, Bennie Pearl
Portis McClaurin Wilson Brown, Arthur Smith, Robert Smith, Acquilla
Pinkston, and Rosa Nell Rutledge.
Smitty is survived by the following FAMILY: nieces: Reece (Ralph) Bell,
Irma “Bunny” McClaurin, Denise Rutledge, Karen “Kitty” Rutledge,
Carolyn Scott, Andrea Paysinger, Zondra Marshall, Sandra Marshall;
nephews: Captain Rory (Diana) McClaurin, Glenn Eric Marshall, Darryl
Marshall and Brian Smith; several grand and great grand-nieces and
nephews who did not have a chance to know him, but grieve his loss;
other relatives, Eric Petite (son of deceased wife Charlene), Leonardo
McKenzie (grandson of deceased wife Carolyn); and friends: Kelly
“Pipe” Webb, Jr., Donald Diamond, Hilda Carraway, Claudia Crawford,
Lucy Johnson, Phyllis Webb, Wilbur Christmas, Valessa Hagler and
Benjamin “BJay” Pritchett; and the residents and Staff of Vitality
Regency Nursing Home.
“Leslie O’Neal Smith was a Man of Service & Beloved By Many.”
The family of Leslie O’Neal Smith “Smitty” wishes
to express thanks for the expressions of love, support
and friendship during this time of bereavement,
and for any donations made in his memory to the
William F. Green Veterans Home, Bay Minette, AL.