Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Smith, Jr.

December 7, 2018 Rev. Dr. Joseph Wilson Smith, Jr., husband of 60 years to June Hawkins Smith, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, December 7, 2018 at his home. Dr. Smith was born in Union, May 28, 1938, a son of the late J. Wilson and Myrtle Greer Smith. He was a graduate of Union High School, North Greenville College and received his Bachelors degree from Furman University. Dr. Smith received a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Seminary and received his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary. Dr. Smith served as pastor of the following churches, Beulah Baptist Church in Union, Selma Baptist Church in Woodruff, and retired from full time ministry after serving 30 years at Second Baptist Church in Laurens. While at Second Baptist Church, he served two terms as Pastor's Conference President of the Laurens Baptist Association. Following his retirement, Dr. Smith continued to be active in Christian Ministry serving twice as Interim Pastor at Padgett's Creek Baptist Church in Union, First Baptist Church of Union, Whitmire First Baptist Church and Langston Baptist Church in Laurens. An important highlight of his ministry was a mission trip to the Kansas and Nebraska Baptist Association. Prior to entering the ministry, Dr. Smith served his country in the US Navy and later transferred to the 3rd Marine Division. Surviving in addition to his wife are three sons, David Smith and wife Brandi of Pelzer, Dan Smith and wife Cheri of Jefferson, GA and Jamie Smith and wife Keisha of Union; one sister, Peggy Smith of Union; grandchildren, Kelsey Smith, Andrew Smith, Jack Smith, Zachary Smith, Cayden Smith, Caleb Smith, Michael Smith, Daniel Smith, Chloe Smith, Noah S. Burgess and Lydia S. Burgess and one great-grandchild, Abigail. Dr. Smith was predeceased by a son Stephen Smith, a sister, Helen Smith West and a brother, Bobby Smith. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Buffalo Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Mike Bell, Rev. Lynn Ford, and Rev. J.D. Putman. Burial will be at Lower Fairforest Baptist Church Cemetery. Dr. Smith's grandsons will serve as the active pallbearers. Mr. Leonard Smith, Donald Hawkins and Benjamin Smith are asked to serve as the honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:30PM Saturday evening at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Missions of Buffalo Baptist Church, P.O. Box 428, Buffalo, SC 29321 or Lower Fairforest Baptist Church, Lottie Moon Mission, 125 Lower Fairforest Church Rd., Union, SC 29379.