Arthur Smith, Jr., 77, was born on March 10, 1945, in Columbus, Georgia, to Arthur Smith, Sr. and Cremonia Bennett-Smith. He and his brother, Richard C. Smith, grew up in Muscogee County, Georgia, where he attended Fifth Avenue Elementary School, Marshall Junior High School and later William H. Spencer and San Diego High Schools.
In 1963, Arthur joined the U.S. Army and later transferred to the U.S. Marine Corp. He was assigned to Company H (Hotel), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. His Military Occupational Specialty was Infantry.
In 1966, a friend of Arthur introduced him to a beautiful, intelligent fellow Marine named, Christine Tellis, while on duty at MCRD (Marine Corp Recruitment Depot) in San Diego, California. They married soon thereafter and three children were born to their union.
Following his military career, he had a stint with the San Diego Police Department and later retired from Naval Air Station North Island after thirty-five years of faithful service. In 1990, he received a Commendation for Exemplary Sick Leave Record, welcoming him into the “1,000 hour club”.
Arthur lived a life devoted to serving the Lord. He was officially ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in 1992 at the Greater Trinity Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor, Dr. Clyde E. Gaines, Sr. He also taught an adult Sunday School class and served as a Spiritual Advisor to the Greater Trinity Baptist Church Usher Board.
On Thursday, November 24, 2022, God called His faithful servant home to rest. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Richard C. Smith; two half-brothers, Don M. Smith and Hubbard Smith. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Christine T. Smith; two daughters and one son; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three half-brothers; four brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and a host of cousins, godchildren, relatives, and friends.
