Grant Smith Jr

Grant Washington Smith, Jr. was born in Yazoo, Mississippi on January 12, 1923 to Grant Washington Smith, Sr. and Mary Ball Smith. The Smith Family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio later in 1923 to make a better life when Grant Jr. was an infant. Grant Jr. grew up in Cincinnati where he attended primary and junior high schools. He graduated from the old Woodward High School and attended Wilberforce College in Ohio. After leaving Wilberforce, he joined the U.S. Navy. Grant was so successful in the Navy that he signed on for a second four-year term. He worked as a carpenter and made the rank of Petty Officer. When he was discharged, he returned to Cincinnati and married Eleanor Louise Jackson, better known as Louise, his sweetheart of many years and they remained there for several years. During this time Grana Louise was born and he adopted Lindsey Murphy, Jr and Ledale Murphy better known as Billy and Butch, two sons from Louise's first marriage. Grant moved his family to Columbus, Ohio in 1951 and continued Government service with the Government Service Agency (GSA). He opened his own small business and worked as a carpenter and welder. He was a master craftsman and enjoyed his work. He built beautiful wood crafts and Was always tinkering around his home enhancing furnishings and areas to make It more comfortable. He loved good food, good beer and good times. He loved to travel and explore historical sites. Grant enjoyed Western movies, he could whistle like a bird and often whistled the tune from Hang Em High, He loved TV and was quite the Clint Eastwood fan. He would often get a big chuckle watching Saturday morning cartoons with his Baby Dirl, he so nicknamed Grana, his daughter. Grant had a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor, He was very caring and protective of his family and friends, He was liked and admired by many people, His presence will be sorely missed. but his spirit lives on In everyone who knew him. Grant leaves to mourn, ex-wife, Eleanor Louise Smith; daughter, Grana Louise Smith; son, Ledale; sister, Ruth; brother, Reginald; brother-in-law, Bernard; his friends of 20 years and also his caregivers during the last two years, Jack and Ivy; and special friend, Faye Grim. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant Washington Smith, Sr. and Mary Ban Smith; his son, Lindsey; sisters, Ceola, Ardean, Colleen, Gloria and Violet; brothers, Leonard. Donald, Ronald, Raymond and Roger; and a host of other relatives and friends. Service: Thursday, March 31, 2011 12:00 PM