Curtis Smith, Jr.

Curtis Smith, Jr., husband of Julia Brandon Smith, was one of ten children born to the late Hannah Rice Smith and Curtis Smith, Sr., on March 11, 1942, in Kelton. He departed this earthly life on January 5, 2025, in the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Curtis graduated from Sims High School, class of 1963. He was a lifelong member of Saint Paul Baptist Church in Union, SC. He loved his church. He willingly served with many church projects. Curtis was a hard worker and had a prosperous career. He retired as a truck driver for “Overnight” currently known as UPS in Gaffney, SC. His trucking name was “Sweet Pea.” He loved traveling from city to city to take care of his family.

Curtis was a good talker, especially when it came to speaking at funerals. His coworkers and family enjoyed his presence and laughed often at parties. He knew right from wrong and would always say, “By doing right in life and by doing right by people that road will always travel, and you will always win.” He also said with a smile, “God has been good to me.”

 He was a strong man for his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all his siblings. He stood strong to keep things going to make sure the family had the best and did not want for anything in life. His reaction to people no matter the disagreement, if you needed him, all you had to do was reach out because he did not have a NO in his body, he was there to always help.

One thing about Curtis, he did not worry about what anyone thought or said in life which is why he had it in him to “give” to many without expecting anything in return. He was a man who stood his ground for what he wanted out of life. He had discipline which people did not understand about him. He had to have discipline to be who he was, giving, caring, a loyal family man and partner in life.

In addition to his parents, Curtis Jr., was preceded in death by a son; Alan Cheek; four brothers; Nathan Smith, Rutherford “Red” Smith, John Wesley Smith, and Jesse James Smith; five sisters, Lee Ethel Bryant, Lucille Valines, Barbara Jean Brown, Shirley Jean Smith, and Hattie Marie Smith.

More than anything, Curtis loved his family to the max. He leaves precious and fond memories with his wife, Julia B. Smith; children, Teresa Brandon, Lisa Brandon, Terry Smith, Clarissa Brandon, and Patrick (Diane) Garner; grandchildren, Nathaniel Smith, Shakir L. Smith and ten other grandchildren; great grandchildren, Demontrey John Wesley Smith, Tymira A. McMahan and three others; daughter-in-law, Veronica “Tammy” Cheek; brothers-in-law, James (Lisa) Brandon, Leroy (Genell) Brandon, Howard (Cathy) Brandon, and John Wallace Brandon; sisters-in-law, Mae-Catherine Brandon, Gloria Jones, Laura Smith, and Rosemary Beatty Brandon; nephews, Sir Earl Smith, Reverend Robert Smith, Paul Smith, Paul Brown,  and Jeff Worthy; nieces, Lisa (Lawrence) Jones, Linda Hawkins, Jackie Hawkins, Norma Jean Smith, Ola-Mae Eison; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends who will sorely miss him.

Arrangements are with Community Mortuary Inc., 361 Meansville Road, Union, SC. 

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