Hubert “Joe” K. Smith, Jr. of Mount Liberty, OH was born on April 22, 1944, in Tazewell, VA to Hubert K. & Grace (Hall) Smith, Sr. and passed away August 25, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Joe attended Centerburg High School and then joined the Army in 1963 where he would serve for three years. On February 22, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart Donna (Butler) and was married for almost 35 years before she passed away of breast cancer six days before their anniversary in February 2000. Joe worked for PPG and drove a semi-truck for both American Freight & Yellow Freight and also worked for both Liberty Township and the State of Ohio Department of Transportation.
Through the years, Joe enjoyed watching his children grow up, Friday night football games, the Dallas Cowboys, hunting with the Mount Liberty Deer Hunters Association, working out three days a week, meticulously caring for his lawn, eating breakfast with the gang at Amvets in Centerburg on Saturdays and Sundays, taking road trips with his best buddy Flippo and spending time with his family and friends and being one of his favorite things of all–a Papaw to Monk and Cole.
On January 23, 2005, he found love again when he married his best friend Susan (Akers) and their adventures would soon begin. From their walks through the woods or day excursions to the casino or their countless trips to “Wally World” to pick up items for Susie’s next project, they were practically inseparable.
Throughout his life the thing that mattered the most to him was his family. He was often heard saying, “As long as my babies and grandbabies are good, I’m good”. He was also known to give the people around him various nicknames, some of which are noted below.
He is preceded in death by his parents Hubert K. and Grace (Hall) Smith, Sr. and his first wife Donna (Butler).
He is survived by his brother Harvey “Brother” and sister Margaret “Mag/Sis”, his wife Susan Akers “Woman”, his children Kelly “#1/Broski” (wife Yhonica and kids Kiara, Quilla and Jenar), Todd “Butt” (wife Trish) and Shelley “Butterfly” (husband Dale), grand-kids Makayla “Monk/Lulu” and Colton “Cole”; his best friend Floyd “Flippo” Deyo and Damon “Cracker/Bone” Dye who was always like another son to him and numerous other friends and family.
Joe was always known to have some words of wisdom or a saying or two to pass along the way, some quirky like “Finer than a frog hair split three ways” and some inspirational. It is with a couple of his favorites that I leave with you… make sure to live for today because “There are no do overs” and a true lesson for all of us and one he lived by every day “Tomorrow is never promised”.
Your babies and grand-babies are all good, Daddy; you did the best job and raised us well and we will all be together again. Until then, may God bless you and keep you. We all love you very much and will miss you until that day.
No public visitation or services are scheduled at this time.
Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel, is honored to serve the Smith family with funeral arrangements.
Please share a memory of Joe, or a message of condolence with the family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, DeVore Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com