Louis (Sr) Smith

Louis Smith Sr, 74, passed away Saturday January 14, 2017 in his home from complications related to his Parkinson’s. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, he attended an all-black school by the name of Washington public which still stands to this day. Louis, along with the rest of his family moved to Portland, Oregon in June 1953. He attended Boise elementary, Highland middle school, and Jefferson high school where he obtained his diploma.

He leaves behind his wife Joyce Ann Smith of 45 years. His children daughters Rhonda Lynette Smith, Traci Lynn Smith and Shawana Denise Richey. Sons Jesse Roy Talton and Louis Smith Jr. Brother Stephen L Smith, sixteen grand-children, twelve great grand-children and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Johnnie Smith, his mother Lizzie Mae Smith, older sister Carrie Lue Thompson and one of his younger brothers Charles Edward Smith.

After high school Louis worked several jobs including The Grotto Sanctuary as a security guard, a janitorial position, Alcoa aluminum and steel plant and the Sheraton hotel where he met Joyce. He found his passion at Crown Zellerbach Paper Company where he worked as a truck driver for over 25 years until his health declined and he was forced to retire. He received numerous commendations for safe driving with no accidents for 16 years with no industrial injuries.

Some of his hobbies included spending time with his family, fishing, crabbing, hunting, playing cards and dominoes with his sister Carrie and friends, going to the casino and playing bingo. He loved to take road trips especially to the Oregon Coast, Yakima, Washington and Louisiana to visit family.