Deacon Joe Nathan Smith Sr.

Sunrise: January 7, 1929   Sunset: December 4, 2020

Joe Nathan Smith Sr. 91 of Erie Pennsylvania transitioned from his earthly home on Friday December 4, 2020.  He was born on January 7, 1929 in Laurel (Jones County) Mississippi to the late Silas Moffett Sr. and the late Viola Smith.

He was a member of Bread of Heaven Tabernacle of Praise where he served as Trustee, member of the Building Upkeep Committee and Board Member. On July 12 ^th 2012 he was ordained a Deacon along with his son, Dwight Alan Smith Sr. at the Holy Convocation of the Pentecostal Churches of Christ, The Most Reverend J. Delano Ellis II, Presiding Prelate.

As a young man, he worked for Butler Produce, Gatlin Building Supply Company and E.L. Bruce Company of Laurel Mississippi, prior to relocating to Erie seeking better employment in 1954.  He immediately gained employment with Keystone Brass Company as a molder.   After several years with Keystone Brass, he resigned to take a position as a molder with Erie Casting Company, where gained the title of fastest molder in Erie County.  He was a member of Laborers Union Local 603 and represented his fellow employees as their Union Representative/Union Stewart.  He also served as President of his Local Union. In his role as President and representative he was instrumental in successful contract negotiations over the years and served as a delegate to the Union's National Convention in Washington DC.

He was an avid Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers fan.  He had a unique talent for watching sports on television, listening to the radio and reading the sports page at the same time.  He could recite sports stats with the best.

Deacon Smith was very outgoing and never met a stranger.  He loved his family and believed that family should always support each other.  He was very instrumental in establishing the Smith Family Reunion along with his wife Jackie, their children and cousins; Christeen Tolbert, Sarah (Ponnie) Gore and Sylvester and Allie Smith.

In addition to his parents he is proceeded in death by his wife Jacqueline Baldwin Smith, a son Dwight Alan Smith Sr. (who passed away on September 13, 2020), and siblings Signora Smith, Cassie Smith Moore, Pauline Hinton, Anna Mae Avery, Edward Moffett, Robert (Bob) Moffett, Chester (Chet) Moffett Sr., Julius (JC) Moffett and Silas (Bug) Moffett Jr; grandchildren: Climatee Roberts Jr., Natasha Smith, Larry Elder and Calvin (Cap) Hooper and godchildren: Larry Donell Smith and Darcus Carr.

He leaves to cherish is memories, three sisters: Etherine McDonald, Laurel Mississippi, Ava Moffett- Brown, Rochester NY and Helen Moffett, Erie PA; his children: Linda Faye Elder (Eddie), Mattapan MA, Elder Dorothy Ann Smith-Frazier (Deacon David) Erie PA, Gwendolyn Rose Smith, Jonesboro GA, Lenora Roberts (Bishop Climatee), Erie PA, Minnetta Scott (Willie), Erie PA, Vanessa Faye Smith, Buffalo NY, Minister Joe Nathan Smith Jr. (Joy) Buffalo NY, Loretta Smith, Erie PA; twenty one grandchildren; ninety-eight great grandchildren and thirty seven great great grandchildren,

Brothers -In-Laws: Harold L. Baldwin Sr. (Dorothy), Boston MA and Robert (Nate) Jones (Carolyn), Erie PA; Sisters-In-Law: Maxine Fox, Rochester NY and Johnnie Riles, Detroit MI and goddaughter Matherine Williams and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and many who affectionately called him Dad, Daddy Joe, Papa Joe, big Daddy, Daddy O and Pops.

Friends may share their love and condolences with the family on Saturday December 12, 2020 from 10am until the time of the Home Going service at 12 noon at the Second Baptist Church 757 East 26 Street Erie, Pennsylvania 16503.  The Reverend Charles Mock is officiating with Overseer John Thomas as the Eulogist. Burial will take place at the Erie Cemetery.

Due to COVID-19, CDC GUIDELINES WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.  ALL ATTENDEE MUST WEAR A MASK AT ALL TIMES AND FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIERMEMTS. The service will be livestreamed via https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtM_iXlQmjHlTlDE-FSJT_Q