Jonathan Smart

Jonathan Smart was born on May 8, 1926, in Wisner, Louisiana, to the late Mahaley and Roosevelt Smart, Sr. He died on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 5:15 p.m., at the age of 95 at his residence.

He accepted Christ at an early age at the Holy Grove Baptist Church in Wisner, Louisiana.

He had an early third grade education at the Holy Grove School, after which his father told him that he had to work and take care of the family since he was the oldest. Three siblings were lost as a result of a tragic house fire.

He later moved to Monroe, Louisiana, 74 years later, where he met the late Verlee Rivers while attending Grambling State University. On June 21, 1952, Jonathan Smart and Verlee Rivers were united in marriage in the home of Reverend W. Frazier, who performed the ceremony. To this union five children were born.

During his lifetime, he was a faithful servant of God. He joined the Antioch Baptist Church and was crowned as a deacon under the leadership of Reverend S.J. Scott until Reverend Scott moved to California. In 1969 the late Reverend John L. Russell, Sr., was appointed pastor. Jonathan was an active member who sang in the male chorus, served as usher, was a member of the Brotherhood, and loved to sing the song, I’ve Been Born Again.

In July 2014 he united with New Antioch Baptist Church.

Jonathan Smart, known as “Joe,” was liked and loved by everybody. He was employed at Ritchie Grocery as a truck driver for 25 years. He also worked at University of Louisiana at Monroe as a custodian and retired in 1991.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Roosevelt Smart, Sr., and Mahaley Smart; wife, Verdie Smart; children, Joann Reese and Richard Smart; siblings, Vonnie Rivers, Willie Rivers, Vastie Jackson, Fred Rivers, and Selma Brown; and brother- and sisters-in-law, Roberta Smart, Nellie Spears, and L.B. Smart.

He leaves to cherish his memories: three children, Diane Dofford (Alexander) of Monroe, LA, Vince Smart of Atlanta, GA, and Sandra Smart of Seattle, WA.

He is survived by: three sisters, Margie Jenkins, Dessie Wright, both of Monroe, LA, and Dell Gray of Flint, MI; five brothers, Roosevelt Smart, Jr. (Donna), Alford Smart, Johnny Herring, all of Monroe, LA, Elijah Herring (Terry) of Cedar Hill, TX, and Jessie Smart of Flint, MI; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Goldsmith of Chicago, IL, and Clarice Rivers Griffin of Famerville, LA; and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

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