Grady Smith, Jr.

Family will receive friends Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at New Covenant Believers' Church, 3400 Kohr Blvd. Columbus, Ohio 43224. Interment: November 23, 2022 @10:00 at Dayton National Cemetery, 

Grady Smith Jr. was born in Columbus, Ohio on September 22, 1938, to the parents of Grady Sr. and Ella Mae Smith. Early on the morning of November 16, 2022, Grady transitioned to the arms of his beloved Heavenly Father.

Grady graduated from East High School on June 12, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio. Following graduation, Grady joined the United States Air Force where he met his beloved Nellie Frances Butler. They were united in Holy Matrimony in 1962. From that union, 3 sons were birth – Eric, Grady and Kyle Asa.

Grady served in the United States Air Force and the United States National Guard for a total of 39 years. He retired as Master Sergeant in 1998.

In 1974 at Shady Grove Baptist Church of Christ, Grady accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Grady continued his service to the Kingdom of God at Living Faith Apostolic Church. From there, he served for many years at the Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith where he taught Sunday School and became an ordained Elder.

For the last seven years, Brother Smith has been a member of the New Covenant Believers’ Church where he remained faithful and in good standing until his transition.

Grady received several awards throughout his life’s career. Among these were: Service Award from the US Air Force as an Equipment Management Section Supervisor; Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service; Award for dedicated service of 38 years from the United States Postal Service; Recipient of the Prestigious Million Mile Club Safe Driver Award also from the United States Postal Service.

Grady was a charismatic man who never met a stranger. He was always ready to witness for the Lord. He never missed an opportunity to praise and worship the Lord Jesus, especially when the choir sang; you knew that Grady was in the house because of his words “SING CHOIR.” His favorite worship song was “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Grady was a true die-hard Buckeye fan. For every game, Grady wore his entire Buckeye garb with a bell he rang after every touchdown.

Grady is survived by his loving and devoted wife: Deaconess Nellie Frances Smith; Three children: Eric B. (Akila), Grady A. (Renee), and Kyle Asa; Five grandchildren: Enrico, Asia, Simone, (Dadrian), Elisha, Alisha, and step-granddaughter, Aishia: Ten greatgrandchildren; From a previous marriage: stepdaughter - Jonina Johnson and two step-grandsons – Markey and Sherrod: sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy Wagner (Johnny), California, Rev. Annie Darden, Maryland, and Abraham Butler (Ann), California and a host of nieces, nephews cousins, family and friends including very loving friend, prayer warrior and trusted confidant, Mother Mattie McDaniel. He was preceded in death by his father, Grady Smith Sr. and mother, Ella Mae Polk.

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