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Obituary For Jonah Smith Jr.
Mr. Jonah Smith Jr. passed on Monday, October 24. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 1 at Trinity AME Zion Church. The visitation begins at 11 am and the service will follow at 12 noon. Interment will be at Guilford Memorial Park.
Jonah Smith, Jr. was born in Columbia, South Carolina on July 9, 1963, to the late Jonah Smith, Sr. and Alstyne Foreman Smith. He was the oldest of three sons. Jonah was affectionally known by family and friends as “Chip.” At age five, Chip and his family moved to Greensboro, NC where he continued his spiritual journey as a member of Trinity AME Zion Church. As a youth member at Trinity, he enjoyed being active with the youth choir, working as an acolyte, and being involved with the Junior Usher Board.
As a pre-teen, Chip attended Aycock Junior High School, located in Greensboro, NC, where he excelled as a quarterback on the football team. Due to his extreme talent as a quarterback, Chip was given awards and was often on the front page of the Greensboro Daily newspaper. Recruiters from the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys were drawn to Chip because of his extraordinary skills. They were so amazed by his expertise that they offered to relocate him to Washington, DC, and Dallas, TX, respectively, so he could be groomed to eventually play for one of these professional teams. Due to an unfortunate injury, Chip was unable to continue in the recruitment process but still remained a loyal football fan until his passing.
After high school, Chip continued to love sports, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with loved ones. He was a long-time employee of Carolina Steel in Winston Salem, NC, part owner of a cleaning service, and worked the third shift at Rising Phoenix Group Home located in Greensboro, NC until his declining health prevented him from continuing the job he loved so much. As an adult, Chip joined East White Oak Baptist Church located in Greensboro, NC under the spiritual guidance of Bishop B. W. Mittman, Sr. where he was a member until his passing.
On September 29, 2004, Chip was given the gift of welcoming his only child, Megan Jonee’ Smith. She meant everything to him, and he loved her with all his heart. Chip gave her the nicknames “Smurf” and “Rooskie” when she was a child, and she will continue to hold those nicknames in her heart forever.
Chip was preceded in death by his father, Jonah Smith, Sr, his paternal grandparents; Ben and Vera Smith, his maternal grandparents; Dan and Earline Foreman, his seven aunts; Rev. Viola “Alzora” Macklin, Ida Saunders, Lilian Cates, Alice Davis, Almeta Baylor, MaeDell Ingram, and Edith Grace Foreman, his six uncles; John Baylor, Nathaniel Saunders, Sr., Remus Davis, Norman Ingram, Sr., Daniel Foreman, Jr, and Herbert Williamson, five cousins; James Atkinson, Darrell Baylor, Retha May Ingram China, Norman Ingram, Jr., and Dorothy Ingram Oaks.
He is survived by his loving daughter, Megan Smith, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, his mother; Alstyne Smith, Greensboro, NC, two brothers; Gregory Smith (Debbie), Magnolia, DE and Andre Smith, Greensboro, NC, three nephews; Dr. Dominic A. Smith, MD, Harrisburg, PA, Cameron Smith (Sokunthea) Germantown, MD, and Darick Smith, Greensboro, NC, his three nieces; Jasmine Koilor (Richard), Philadelphia, PA, Brianna Smith, Atlanta, GA, and Jada Leonard, Gulfport, MS., four aunts; Edna Mae Foreman and Anna Stallings, Aiken, SC, Charlesanne Foreman, Queens, NY and Emma Foreman Riverside, CA, and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.
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To the Family & Friends of Jonah Smith. My sympathy, love & prayers r sent to u all. God needed another Angel, so he hand picked Jonah. To God be the Glory. May God continue to bless u all. With my love, Cheryl Hood.
My condolences to the Smith family on the passing of Chip just recently. As a child growing up in Woodmere Park, while being one of the younger kids with hands like feet (couldn't catch a ball to save my life), I have fond memories of playing tag football with the grown-up teenagers (Willie, Harvey, Nate, Craig, Brent, Robert, Earnest, Bernest, Wayne, Coolie and of course, Chip) usually during the hot summers on Woodridge Ave. In order to have robust teams the teenagers would enlist players from the younger crowd (Bobby, Earl, Jimmie, Keith, Tripp, Dino, Scott, Kevin, Rodney, Ronald, Myron, Maurice, Trelaire, Andre, Greg).
During our pick-up games where the ball was often, if not always thrown instead of being kicked to avoid the possibility of hitting someone's house, Chip most often would throw the ball off. He could literary "Slang" the football about a block, so everybody knew to drop way back to have any chance of getting the ball in front of you to return/advance it up field. And as mentioned before, I really wasn't much of an athlete, but I knew that Chip would always try to include me in plays to increase my confidence even though he knew full well that I was not a good player.
Thats the kind of I guy I remember Chip being. Thoughtful and kind to a knucklehead kid like me.
To the Smith family, may God continue to give you strength during your time of grief/pain and to Chip, rest easy my friend, I'll see you on the other side for a pick-up tag football game one day. Busting on the sideline included.
Bobby Patterson
With all my love Pat Keith
To Jonah we were a milestone a lot of history god has presented the crown you will be missed will all my heart ❤️ and memories but you fought a good fight God is good and he is real my praises and glorifying in Jesus name Amen All of my prays and blessings Pat Keith Desmond Thomas Pearl and Howard Atkinson and Family Ephesians 6
May the Holy Spirit provide you peace and comfort as you grieve the loss of your love one. My family will continue to pray for your family for love, knowledge and understanding. Much love ❤️ and peace to you. Denise aka (DeeDee Wheless)
Our condolences to Mrs. Smith, Andre, and especially our niece Megan and the entire Smith Family. The Spirit of GOD is protecting and comforting each of you (Ps. 121). Frances Bradshaw and Family.
Our prayers for a sense of comfort and peace to the entire Smith Family as each of you attempt to process Chip's transition to be with the Lord. May you continue to rely on God for your strength now and in the difficult days ahead.
Rodney, Kimetha & Makayla & Makenzie Hughes
One of my best friends, Praying God will comfort and strengthen the family during this difficult time. Andrew Jones and Family.
We are praying for your peace and comfort during this difficult time. Charles,Charlene,Carlos,and Dante Harrison Sugar Land,Texas
Sympathy,Love and Peace to The Smith Family.I've also lost a very good friend.Joseph Wall
My Condolences to the Family, along with prayer for strength, comfort and peace. Brenda Dorsett
My condolences to the Smith Family. The Givens Family
God will wipe away all our tears.. My prayers and condolences goes out to the Smith Family. C Denise Graham Hampton, Virginia
My prayers and condolences goes out to the Smith Family... May God continue to bless and console you during these difficult times .🙏🏿🌹
My condolences to the Smith family. May God be with you.
Jackie Newman-McKeithan and family.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
