Joseph Daniel Smothers

Joseph D. Smothers, Sr., youngest son of the late Frederick S. Smothers and Sarah Matthews, was born on April 2, 1922 in Weaverton, Maryland. He departed this life on June 10, 2005 while a patient at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended public schools in Frederick County, Maryland and enlisted in the military on January 7, 1943. After serving three years in the Navy where he was awarded several service ribbons, Joe returned to Burkittsville, Maryland, where he married his childhood sweetheart, Una Marie Holland. The couple was blessed with a son, Joseph, Jr. and a daughter, Sharon. Joe and his family moved to Baltimore where they purchased a home on Moreland Avenue and where he and the family lived until 1982 when they moved to Columbia. Joe and Una then moved to Hanover Square Senior Citizen Apartments. Joe worked for many years as a Chauffeur for Dr. George Bennett, a nationally renowned Orthopedic Surgeon. After Dr. Bennett's death, he worked for over 15 years as an animal caretaker for the Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Maryland until he retired. Letters of recommendation written by previous employers characterized Joe as hard working, honest, dependable and loyal. A deeply religious man, Joe was a communicant at St. Pius V Church for over 50 years. He served on the Usher Board, the Membership Committee and on many fund raising committees. He was a member of the Knights of St. John. Joe's other interests included hunting and fishing, watching baseball games and bowling. He was an avid bowler; often participating in league competition and winning medals in the Seniors Olympics. After surviving major surgery and spending five weeks in the hospital Joe was preparing to come home to his family, but God had other plans and called Joe to eternal rest during the early morning on Friday, June 10. He leaves to mourn his death and to celebrate his life: his devoted wife, Una; son, Joseph, Jr.; daughter, Sharon S. Tucker; granddaughter, Nichole Person; grandson, Derek Smothers; great grandson, Garnet Person, II; brother-in-law, Luther Holland; daughter-in-law, Mary Smothers; son-in-law, Howard Tucker; grandson-in-law, Garnet Person, Sr.; eleven nieces and nephews, Philip Smothers, Frances Johnson, James Cole, Ernest Cole, Juanita Ashford, Linda Holland, Kenneth Holland, Faye Williams, Bonita Williams, Louis Holland, Jr., Rhonda Beard; and a host of cousins and friends.

Tributes

Joseph Daniel Smothers

April 2, 1922 - June 10, 2005