Mr. Avery Smith
Passed 02/20/2023
Avery Jacques “AJ” Smith, 42, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023, at home in Orangeburg, SC after an extended illness. AJ was born September 5, 1980, in Orangeburg, SC to Jacob Smith and Cynthia Hallinquest Smith. He was the great grandson of the late Lizzie Mae Keitt. He was the grandson of the late Jay Smith and Pansy Smith as well as Flossie Mae Hallinquest and the late James W. Hallinquest, Jr.
He attended Mount Calvary Church of God in Orangeburg, SC. While on the Youth Choir, he frequently led the song, “Nothing but the Righteous.” AJ accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and became an active member of Gethsemane Church of God, where his parents serve as Pastor and First Lady. While there, AJ led the Boys Club, served as an usher, and played the drums.
AJ attended public school in Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5. In his spare time, he liked to fish, hunt, watch movies, listen to music, sing, laugh and crack jokes. He had a calm, easy-going demeanor. His favorite color was blue. He enjoyed participating in the Boys Club at Rivelon Elementary School, led by the late Principal Thomas Eklund. AJ had a love for basketball and football, and he played these sports from elementary school throughout high school with his best friend and younger brother, Jason Duwayne Smith. Over the years, AJ met students and teammates who served as lifelong friends. He also had a high school job as a cook at Central Park. AJ graduated with his high school diploma from Orangeburg-Wilkinson (OW) High School on May 29, 1999. Upon graduation from high school, AJ was accepted at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU), South Carolina State University (SCSU). He majored in Criminal Justice and aspired to become a private detective. He participated in a state internship with his older sister in the Investigations Department at Carowinds, where he watched surveillance footage, went undercover to investigate employees of theft and other crimes, and patrolled the park to provide security. He also interned with a private detective, James Gordon, at Gordon’s Investigation and Bail Bond Company in Orangeburg, SC. AJ was also a student athlete. He played football for SCSU in the position of Safety as well as on Special Teams. AJ met the love of his life and wife, Anna Jackson Smith, while in college in September of 2003. AJ graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in December of 2003.
AJ started his career with the family business, Edisto Flowers and Plants and Husqvarna with his mother and brother. He later left Husqvarna to work full-time for the family business. AJ married the love of his life, Anna Jackson Smith on September 26, 2009. After 1 year of marital bliss, AJ was extremely excited to announce to his mother that he and Anna were expecting a child. AJ and Anna welcomed their precious daughter, Savannah Aniya Smith on June 22, 2011. AJ enjoyed watching movies with Savannah and hearing about her daily adventures at school.
AJ’s legacy, laughter, and love will forever dwell in the hearts of his wife, Anna Jackson Smith, his daughter, Savannah Aniya Smith, of the home, his mother, Cynthia Hallinquest Smith, his father, Jacob Smith, his older brother, Jermaine Thomas, Texas, his older sister, Shantay Smith (Samuel) Evans, Marietta, GA, younger brother, Jason Duwayne (Veronica) Smith, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and many, many cousins, teammates and friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 2:00pm - 6:00pm.
The family respectfully requests that you do not visit the residence. Friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg, SC.
Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and masks are required during visitation and funeral services.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.simmonsfuneralhome.com