Ester Smith passes away

Ester “Smitty” Smith, who worked at the BJ for many years before he retired, passed away Saturday, April 8.

Ester Smith

He’s on the 1981 BJ employee directory that Advertising Makeup retiree Mike Williams provided for me.

Later, Mike informed me that Smitty was part of Tommie Cook's paperhandlers. Smitty also was involved in the United Way campaign at the BJ and was pretty good with a bowling ball, too.
 

Smitty’s obituary:

Mr. Ester “Smitty” Smith

Mr. Ester “Smitty” Smith of Akron, Ohio died on Saturday, April 8, 2017 after a long illness.

Smitty was born in Oxford, Miss. on December 28, 1944 to the late Pastor Ester Moss and Catherine Smith. After Smitty graduated, he left Oxford, Miss and joined the U.S. Army.

He then started working for the Akron Beacon Journal. He worked for many years until he retired.

After retiring he loved spending time with his friends and family and having a good time. He loved going shopping and doing yard work with his wife, Shirley. He was a very patient and loving man. May God continue to keep him under His wings.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lewis Smith; and sister, Marie Smith Pringle. Smitty leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Shirley Foster Smith; son, Edward Smith; and daughter, Crystal Smith; grandchildren, Jason Culver, Jaylyn Culver, Justin Smith and Shayla Smith; brothers, Rev. Harry Smith, Charles Smith, of Oxford, Miss., Preston Smith, of Memphis, Tenn.; sisters, Modupe Ogunyemi, of Oakland, Calif., Cassandra Porter, of Oxford, Miss.; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Service will be held Friday April 14, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Stewart &

Calhoun Funeral Home, 529 W. Thornton St., Akron, OH 44307, Rev. Harry Smith officiating. Interment Mt. Peace Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 12 Noon until time of service. Procession will form at 1507 Washburn St., Akron, OH 44307 and condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 8057, Akron, OH 44320.