Curtis L.W. Smith, Sr.

The Life and Legacy of Mr. Curtis L. W. Smith, Sr.

The Family Patriarch

December 6, 1929 - February 10, 2023

On Friday, December 6, 1929, Curtis Lee Wilbur Smith was born to Garfield “Guy” and Rosie (Hayes) Smith in Alamo, TN. The youngest living child of 17, he lived in Crockett County; he spent his time learning about his family and neighbors within a 2.2 square mile area, where the population was recorded as 907 residents. Numbers and miles were important to Curtis as he enjoyed the road as much as he did people. Curtis, meaning polite, courteous, and good mannered, embodied the significance of his name. As it is often said, he never met a stranger.

Later, his family moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he was raised although he did return to Tennessee for a time, to work with his grandparents harvesting cotton. In Toledo, he attended Jesup W. Scott High School and was later drafted into the U.S. Army. He trained at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas as a part of the Fifth Armored Division. On Feb. 10, 1953, he earned a certificate and permit to operate U.S. Government vehicles and equipment, in Fort Riley, Kansas. He became a military driving instructor during that time. He was 23. He served in the Korean War in 1953, was honorably discharged; later being awarded a Korean War Commemorative Medal in 2009 on his 80th Birthday; then receiving a Veteran’s Honor Pin and Emblem on February 6th of this year.

A man of extraordinary work ethic, his first job was at Walgreens at the age of 12. Later he worked at Mellocraft; and it would only be fitting that Curtis worked at Art Iron in Toledo, on Curtis Street! Smitty was the name his friends and coworkers gave him because they looked to him as a good friend and leader. That makes his middle name, Wilbur, so important as it means he was particularly tough, determined, clever, and purposeful, qualities of a good leader, which he had.

While at Manufacturer’s Enameling in South Toledo, he would carry 500 lb barrels of paint by himself and was often called on to help move heavy appliances and he would do so, unassisted.Also during his employment there, he became a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Brother Curtis was a Chief Steward of the Local 20, retiring in 1995 after more than 27 years.

It took both mental and physical strength and fierce commitment to serve his family and community each day in order to provide for the people he loved. That same strength that helped him survive the impact of a mature tree falling on the roof of his car, and injuring his head. He was in a coma for 7 days and was left in the hallway to die, yet he lived! After that injury, he’d go on to overcome other challenges that even doctors could not solve, knowing his recoveries were miracles.

Skilled with his hands, he liked to tinker and fix things, which made him a great handyman. He especially admired automobiles; his favorite being the Model T Ford, and his expertise with paint and enamel could tell if a car had been damaged and had a paint job. These interests were in alignment with his military and civil careers.

Just like the roads he often traveled, he could connect a family member to another from his study and association of his own family and those around him. He knew family names and how they related to our family. At any time, there were two questions he could answer: How many miles it would take to get from “here to there” and who is “so and so” related to? He could number the distance in miles without thinking, and he could trace a lineage or give some geographical history for those who were researching their family history almost instantly. He could do these things without conducting a genealogy document search.

He lived during a time where young people were supposed to “put a handle” on an adult’s name so “Mr. Curtis” was what the neighborhood kids called him. He would ride down the street with his window down and hand waving along the way, even if it may have held up traffic. If you went to the store with him, you’d for certain leave with a new relative.

Curtis met Myrtle Marie (nee. White) while she was running to the store in between commercials for one of her favorite TV programs. They married in 1969 in Toledo, OH and became “The Brady Bunch”, (or a large family, raising their children together). Together, they enjoyed watching all the Game Shows, traveling, Westerns or Playing Scrabble, while drinking coffee. He loved dressing up for church, or as he would say “Co-ordinate”! He was a man who dressed the part and donned some amazing brims with his suit and tie, but he always removed his hat to show respect, when necessary. Through the years, they loved and cared for each other and celebrated special occasions and milestones. As some have nicknamed them, “Curt & Myrt” recently celebrated 53 years of marriage.

To his children,he has many names such as “Poppy Sun”, a special term of endearment from Cynthia, for a man who brought light to everyone's lives that he both encountered and loved. His smile and warm voice welcomed conversations that could go on and on-- most of the time, they did! Pop (s), A man loved and respected by his sons who spent his lifetime teaching about brotherhood and fatherhood, encouraging them and supporting them as they fulfilled those roles in their lives. Dad/Daddy is what the youngest daughters called him; the ones who asked him a million questions and had to wait for the long answers, because there was no alternative. Yet no matter how many questions or how many times they asked, he was always willing to provide an answer.

Daddy Smitty was a special name given by those children he raised as his own. He never made a difference between one or the other out of 18. The important thing to know in his own words, was that “We are a family, and we have to stick together”.

Grandpa/Paw Paw is what the grandchildren called him. He encouraged them to make wise choices and enjoyed their presence. He was proud to support their many activities. He loved to say “Hi Grandbaby” or “Yo, Hey” when one may call or come by. He didn’t miss an opportunity to give a fist bump, high five or crack a joke.

Curtis established the foundation of his legacy, name by name as he raised not just a family, but generations. He is the first generation Curtis and has 4 generations of Curtis’ that proudly carry his name. Curtis #2 is Curtis Duane Sr. & Jr., followed by #3 Curtis Chukwuemeka (Man Man), Sr. Next is #4 Curtis Allen, Jr. (CJ) then #5 Curtis Chukwuemeka Jr.

He led his family with wisdom; devoted with love and patience. He loved God as well and his Church of New Beginnings Family.

“Lee”- a clearing, meadow or open space near a river.

On Friday, February 10, 2023, a peaceful meadow was cleared for Curtis Lee Wilbur Smith, Sr. where he would enter eternal rest. He rejoined his parents, siblings, sons Burl, Jeff and Nathan; daughter Joy; grandsons Jesse and Little Terry; granddaughter, Korbin; special friends Thomas McCaster, Artes and Freddie Jamison and all of his loved ones who took their rest before him.

Those who cherish his memory are his beloved wife Myrtle Marie Smith, and children Cynthia Smith of Omaha, NE, Terry (Cora) Smith of Houston, TX. Terrance Ellis of Chester, PA, Victor (Velvet) Ellis, Darryl, Curtis, Rosalyn Smith, Jon Paul (Crystal) Smith-Pasker, and Megan (William) Davis, all of Toledo, OH; Steve, Allen, Robin, Brian Keith, Omaha, NE; Renee of Fort Smith, AR, Charlene Peaches of Findlay, OH; and special daughter LaNita Roberts and more than 28 grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, relatives and friends.