MEMORIAL RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSIE MAE SMITH
WHEREAS, Josie Mae Smith, loving mother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, departed this life on October 25, 2021 at 96 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Josie's passing by the Honorable Stephanie D. Coleman, Alderman ofthe 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Josie was born to the late Joseph and Lula Bell Williams in Dancy, Alabama and grew up in Aliceville, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, At an early age, Josie confessed her hope in Christ and joined Cannon Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Z. Horton; and
WHEREAS, On June 25, 1943, Josie was united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Hayes Smith, Sr., and to their union eleven children were born; and
WHEREAS, In 1948, Josie moved to Chicago and joined Union Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend J. Royston, and continued her membership in the Church under Reverend Marvin E. Alexander; and
WHEREAS, For 46 years Josie served faithfully on the Nurses' Board under President Mother Parthenia Melton, and in June, 2021, Josie was appointed by Reverend Alexander to the Mothers' Board as the second oldest mother of the Church; Josie was known to many as "Ms. Union" which she earned as a result of her pleasingly graceful, stylish appearance and manner; and
WHEREAS, Josie is preceded in death by her husband, Hayes Smith, Sr.; five sons, Sammie, Sr., Michael, Hayes Smith, Jr., Dale Knox, and Willie Davis Smith; one daughter, Hattie Mae; her loving parents, Joseph and Lula Bell Williams; four brothers, Ben, Joseph, Willie Earl, and John; five sisters, Anne Mae, Myra, Laura, Lartha and Willie Mae; she leaves to cherish her memory eight children, Alonzo (Doris), Harvey (Pamela), Anthony (Kathy), Denver, Derrick, Norma Jean, Shirley (Preston) and Michelle; one sister, Martha Williams of Chicago, Illinois; two daughters-in-law, Viola and Colette; 47 grandchildren 89 great-grandchildren, and 35 great-great-grandchildren; tw...
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