Joseph Russell Smith, Sr. - Obituary

oseph Russell “Pop” Smith, Sr., age 77, a longtime resident of Davidsonville, Maryland, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at his residence on March 22, 2022 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born November 30, 1944 in Washington, DC to James George Edward and Theresa Marie Perrie Smith, both now deceased. He began working for his father in law, Robert O’Dell, as a timber cutter, and since 1980, he owned and operated J.R. Smith Logging & Firewood in Anne Arundel County. He was a longtime member and deacon at South Shore Baptist Church in Crownsville, and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with family. Joe is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sylvia Ellen O’Dell Smith; his sons, Joseph Russell (Nancy) Smith Jr., of Lusby, George Douglass (Terri) Smith of Glen Burnie and Daniel Scott Smith (Alicia) of Davidsonville; his siblings, James “Butch” (Christine) Smith of Callao, VA, Joan Katherine Smith Brown of Virginia and Patricia Ann Smith Gaines of Virginia; his grandchildren, Rebecca, Christopher, Joshua, Nathan, Nolan and Nelson; his great-grandchildren, Abigail and Ryleigh; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Josephine Marie Smith Greenwood and Mary Ellen Smith. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joe’s life on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Visitation is from 11am-1pm at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, with funeral service at 1pm. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Annapolis, MD 21401. Following the interment, a reception will be held at American Legion Post 226, 830 Central Avenue, Edgewater, MD 21037. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maryland Forest Association (MFA), P.O. Box 332, Linkwood, MD 21835 (note Smith Memorial Fund on check) or online using this link: MFA_Donation