Columbus Smith Jr.

Columbus Smith JR. of Greensbrooke Close Stone Mountain, GA., departed his life on Monday, July 2, 2018 at home surrounded by his family and friends. He was Born on August 27, 1959 in Oakland, CA to the late Columbus Smith SR. and Mary Jane Saxton Smith. He was the only boy of the 4 children born to this union. Columbus was affectionately known as “Bug” or Junior to his family and loving friends. He attended Primary & Middle School and graduated from Berkeley High School earlier in 1977, whiling attended Berkeley High he was a member of High School Marching Band as a Tuba Player. He continued his educated at Pasadena City College, Pasadena CA., from 1977-1979, Laney College, Oakland, CA., 1979-1980 and Eastern Oregon State University LaGrandge, OR., where he was a member of the 1980-81 Rose Bowl League Championship Football Team and also a member of the Eastern Oregon Football Hall Of Fame. While living in CT., Columbus and his family attended the Cathedral of Worship Center in Bridgeport Ct., under the leadership of Pastor Steven Harvin. He was employed by The Right Stuff Distribrutor, Hamden, CT., from 1997-2006. He also attended the New England Tractor Trailer Training School Somers, CT., in 2002 where he received his CDL Licenses. Upon completing his CDL Training . he was employed by Western Express Trucking Company in Nashville, Tennessee from 2007-2009. After relocating to GA., Columbus Joined Columbia Drive Methodist Church, and was employed with Fepco Trucking Conley, GA., as a Truck Driver from 2009-2014, then Fepco Container as an Owner Operator 2014-until the time of his illness. During this time he started his own Trucking Company Named it M3KT Trucking honoring his children. Columbus loved and played all genres of music from Gospel, Jazz to R&B. He started played drums at a earlier age, he went on the road traveling at 15 with Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes of Tyler Texas, played with the Commodores, The Weather Girls, The Oakland Allstars, Local#3 Gospel Choir, East St. Louis Gosepelettes, The Burning Busch Band, Mississippi Blind Boys, Lumzy Sisters of Mississippi, Bishop McClam and the New Pilgrims of Faith of New Haven, CT. and his group of over 45 years The Mighty Mighty Sons of Glory of Los Angeles CA., they were Stella Award Nominated for Quaret Group of the year in 2000, they performed on Bobby Jones Gospel and his Gospel Explosion, at the House of Blues. He also filled in as a drummer for groups like The Gospel Keynotes, Pilgrim Jubliees, Tally Boys, Leggett Brothers of San Jose, CA. his mother-in-laws group the Gospel Express of New Haven, CT., and several other Quartet Groups during the years. His love for music took him to several different parts of the world like Canada, Germany, Japan and Iraqi where he performed for the USA Troops not to long after the War. He leaves to cherish his loving memory: His wife of 22 years Brigitte Maybank-Smith, of Stone Mountain, GA., children: Kyema and Kyala Smith of the home, Matthew Smith-Gentry (Nicole) of Sacramento CA., Tavaris Wylie (Shaneka) of New Haven CT., Marcus Garrett (Antionette) and Keysa Garrett (Demetruis) Rome GA., Siblings: Diane Smith and Myrtle Smith of Berkeley CA., Tommie Ligons, and Special brothers: Teddy Hawkins, Marvin Morris, Al Stewart, Billy Kemp Jr of CA., Alvin Coleman of Arizona and Tim Hawkins of Ohio., Grandchildren: Tavaris Jr., Taniyah, Tatiana, Tailyn, Tanylah, Ta’ylar, Ta’breea and Ta’bree Wylie of New Haven, CT., Mikeysa, Ma’Kenya, Marcus Jr. Montrell Garrett of Rome GA., Eric and Malik Moten of Sacramento, CA., DeMarcus and Meghan Barnett of Lithonia GA., also 4 Brother-in-laws: Minister Timothy Maybank, Michael Tyrone Maybank, Minister Darnell McClam all of New Haven, CT., Sultan A. Dantata of Rochester NY., along with 4 Sister-in-laws: Caroline Flint of New Haven, Ct., Shaquanda Maybank of Greenville, NC., Maria Maybank-Richards of West Palm Beach FL., and Tomika Carter-Jones of Atlanta, GA., 3 Aunts: Dorothy Smith, Mary Starks and Florine Brimmer, 1 Uncle: Billy Luck of Los Angeles and his mother-in-law: Mrs. Louise Harris-Herring (Otis) of New Haven, CT. and Father-in-law: Mr. William Earl Harris of Richmond, VA. God-Sisters: Linda Kelly and Barbara Kelly Witherspoon of New Haven, CT God-Brothers: Cedric Bohannan, Eric Baker, Curtis Fuller, Darryl Stickman, Linsley Brown Special Niece: Merceda Crosby and Nephew: Brandon Crowley of Berkeley CA Special Cousins: Steven “Porterhouse” Porter of CA., and Pamela Mabery of Conley, GA. God-Children: De’jha Tucker, Julian Fullard, Devin Gardner, D’shanthi Coleman, Kemiko Slocum, Lashara Daniel, Morgan Hightower, Tariq Robinson, Keshaun Middlebrooks, Kayla and Kiani Barnett, Kimielle Rackley, Timothy Johnson, Chloe Byrd, Jeniah Talton, Kaylan McBean, Thiauna Brisson and a Host of other Relatives and Friends. Preceded death by his sister: Juanita Smith, and his Maternal and Paternal Grandparents.

Columbus Smith Jr.

August 27, 1959 - July 2, 2018