JOE RICARDO SMITH, SR. was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 11, 1954 to Joe Roy Smith and

the late Helena Octavia Smith.

Joe was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. He graduated from Edmondson High School

in 1972. In June 1974 Joe went on to serve in the National Guard serving 6 years. After serving Joe worked various jobs before landing a job with the Coca-Cola bottling company in 1976, where he worked until they closed their doors. Joe went on to work for McCormick & Company in 1980 until he retired 34 years later in 2016.

On April 23, 1971, Joe methis wife-to-be, Valerie, at St. Martin's Roman Catholic Church where he was a lifetime member. They were married on November 1, 1975 and out of their union they had two children, Chervon Renee Smith and Joe Ricardo Smith Jr.

Joe loved working on cars and also found a love in Masonry. He joined Landmark #40 of the Prince Hall

Masons on May 12, 1985. He served as a Mason for 37 years. He presided as Worshipful Master for the years

of 1992-1993,2009-2018 and 2019-October 2021. He was also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star

Annie S. Banks Chapter #42, the Shriners and Hiram Consistory.

Before Joe's illness his favorite go to spot was Roots Unlimited where he loved his Roots family.

Joe leaves to mourn: his father, Joe Roy Smith (his mother, Helena Octavia Smith,

preceded him in death); daughter, Chervon Smith-McCall (Timothy McCall);

son, Joe Smith Jr. (Yvette Johnson-Smith); six sisters, Belvin and Darlene Smith,

Theresa (Bernard "Nick" Braswell), Michelle Allen and Helena "Pixie" Smith (Linda

Smith preceded him in death); two brothers, Gregory and Darnell Smith (Rachel P.

Hickson-Smith); an uncle, Leslie Smith (Loretta Smith); two aunts, Mary Smith and

Emma Mae Peterson; eighteen grandchildren (Lacree McCall, preceded him in death);

twenty-six great-grandchildren, godsister, Joyce Dixon; goddaughter, Brittney Henriques;

best friends, Valerie Merritt, Liz Hines, Kim Quarles and Meshia Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.