Henry Ernest Smith

Obituary On Monday, April 27, 2020 at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Somerset in Somerville, NJ with his family at his bedside, Henry Ernest Smith, Jr. transitioned to his heavenly home. Henry, affectionately known by family and friends as Dad, Father, Pop-Pop, Big G, Uncle Henry and Hank was born on March 6, 1937 to the late Ella Annibell Stewart-Smith and Henry Ernest Smith, Sr. in Whitsett, North Carolina. He was the first born and only son of seven children born to his parents. Henry graduated from Brown Summit High School in Brown Summit, North Carolina in 1955. He often shared embellished stories that he had to walk miles to and from school, uphill both ways through storm and rain. His love of driving started here when he gained the opportunity to drive the school bus for the local schools. Henry later relocated to New Jersey in the 1960’s where he worked at Great Gee Furniture Distributors in Bayonne, NJ for over 30 years until retirement. After a few years of leisure, Henry decided he was too young for retirement. Because of his passion for road trips and driving he began his second career as a Motor Coach Operator and Trainer for Academy Tours and Suburban Transit/Coach USA for roughly 10 years. After a desire to slow down a bit, Henry found a job at Organization for Recovery as the Transportation Coordinator at worked there for over 15 years until he passed away. Henry joined the Most Worshipful Oriental Grand Lodge (37 Fulton Street; Newark, NJ) in 1974 and was a long-standing member. After joining, he worked his way up the ranks & became a Senior Warden. He went on to become a Master of St. Joseph Lodge No 73. in one year. He assisted and worked on many annual programs that the Lodge sponsored. Henry was very adamant in visiting the sick and shut in and made sure that all the Brothers were aware of this as well. He later became a member of the Royal Arch Masons as well as the Royal Arch Templar; he advanced to the 33rd Degree Most Eminent Grandmaster. There are many more things that are too numerous to mention. Among participating and spearheading charitable functions within the communities they served, Henry and his Masonic brothers pledged to take care of one another and their families for life. Henry joined the Shiloh Baptist Church with his family on January 5, 1986 and remained an active member until his passing. He was a member of the Joined Together Marriage Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, Food and Clothes Pantry and the Exceptional Men for Christ Men’s Choir. In the 1990s, he along with his wife Strossie gave leadership to the marriage ministry “The Binding Tie”. Henry was a generous and loving man. He found pleasure in helping others. He was highly respected, courteous and had a great sense of humor; always joking around. He was a diehard NY Mets fan. He would wear his Mets gear proudly in support of the Mets even when they were in last place. He had a knack for fixing things and took a liking to creating the frugal man’s RV with his conversion vans. In his day, Henry was a stylish man who enjoyed fashion and dancing. He was truly a fun loving, lively person. We all will miss the joy he brought to our lives, but we can rest assure that he is “running Bostons” and teaching the game of Bid Whist up in heaven! Henry Ernest Smith, Jr. is predeceased by his parents, his sister Omega Estelle and his brother-inlaw William Huntley. He leaves to celebrate his life, his wife, Strossie M. Smith of 53 years, sons, Dexter, Henry Quincy III, Ron Genard and Ryan (Sonya), daughters, Donna Celeste White (Jerome, Sr.), Kisha Matilda, Pamela Michelle Harmon (Tyrone), Paula Danielle Nelson (Anthony), and Netrica Newsome (Hakim), bonus sons Damian Devon Vasquez and Dante Damone Vasquez, bonus daughters Patricia Renee Montgomery, Shalice Monique Foster (Derrick) and, Raven Symone Culbreath, sisters Elsie Mae, Doris Oleta Huntley, Willie Eloise Torain, Marilyn Emogene Daniels and Audrey Forrestine White (Ovid, Sr.), grandchildren Essence Armonie Nelson, Masiayia Monique Nelson, Jayvion Elliot Nelson, Hakim Elliot Nelson, Asiir Elliot Nelson, Alianah Danielle Simone Nelson, Ari Elizabeth Smith, Jerome White, Jr., Jeanette, Salaam Zakee, Charles Newsome, Kahim Newsome and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, other family members and life-long friends. Lovingly Submitted, The Family