A light went out on Earth for me

The day we said goodbye

And on that day a star was born,

The brightest in the sky

James J. Smith, affectionally known as Smitty age 75 of Raleigh, North Carolina (formerly of Vance County, North Carolina) departed this life on Friday, March 27, 2026, Duke Raleigh Medical Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A Celebration of life will be held for James Smith on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 3:00pm at Warren County Middle School, the Reverend Carl Warden will officiate, and burial will follow in the Spring Green Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Smitty’s sweet, precious memories will forever be cherished by: his loving and devoted wife of almost fifty-five years, Agnes R. Smith, his son, Andre’ D. Smith (Patricia); grandchildren, Sierra Smith (Zarious), Garret Smith (Ashley), and Kennedy Smith (Connor); great grandchildren, Tristen Dillard, Zoe Smith and Zeus Wright; sisters, Sandra Brown (Amiel), Marilyn Lewis-Williams (Robert), and Carolyn Stanbeck; sisters-in-law, Ethel Davis, Betty Wiliams, Cornelia Plummer, and Barbara Bryant; brother-in-law, Gundy Richardson, Jr. (Jean); adopted brother, Ronald Richardson; aunts, Daisy Henderson, Bessie Davis and Florine Gray (Harry); uncle, Sam Smith; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

He may be viewed on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 1:00pm-5:00pm at Boyd & Royster.

Professional services entrusted to Boyd & Royster Funeral Services.