Donald Smith

Donald Jackson Smith, 86, of Birmingham AL passed away Friday October 17, 2025. He was born November 22, 1938 to Clifton and Valeria Smith. He is survived by his wife Joyce Smith; his daughter Melisa (Missy) Mechele Wilson (husband Geoff); his son Mark Pruitt Smith (wife Rena'); his grandson Bryan Wilson; his grandson Josh Hartsell (wife Brittany); his sisters Pat Seals and Sharron Starnes; and his brother Rick Smith.

He is preceded in death by his parents Clifton and Valeria Smith; his brothers Thomas Smith and George Smith; his sisters Joy Woods and Charlene Cox.

In his late teens Don worked a few years at Sears Automotive changing oil. He didn't care much for that job. In July 1962 he joined the Army and served as a switchboard operator. He managed to avoid going to war when the Cuban Missile Crisis de-escalated. Later spent several months in Fairbanks Alaska during a winter when they had a major earthquake. He brought home some amazing photographs of the devastation. After the army he came back home to Birmingham and married Joyce Garrett of Natural Bridge AL. Two years later a daughter was born, Melisa Mechele Smith. Again two years later a son was born, Mark Pruitt Smith. They moved from a small house in West End to a growing community in Greenwood in December 1968. During these years he also began a long career in furniture sales. He worked 47 years at 3 different stores in the Birmingham area before retiring. Still in good health he wasn't ready to just sit on the front porch in his rocking chair. So for the next ten years he helped some guys he knew who painted houses. Then he decided that was enough. He loved staying home taking care of yard work and his house in which they lived for 56 years. He taught his children the value of honest hard work. He loved his wife of 61 years and took good care of her in the very trying difficult days of her Alzheimer's disease. Until he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in February 2025. He declined rapidly but with great care died peacefully in his sleep.

Don Smith had many great qualities. He loved a good joke. He never forgot a face or a name. But most importantly Don Smith was a Christian. He worshipped at Pine Lane church of Christ.

Visitation will be Thursday October 23rd from 9-11 am at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover AL followed by a short memorial service at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo AL.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.