Josie Mae Smith

Josie Mae Smith (Denson) was born to Joseph McKenzie and Eula Denson on October 1, 1937, in Montezuma, Georgia. Josie peacefully fell asleep in death on October 11, 2023, at home with her loving caregiver, Sophiat Arikewuyo, and two of her daughters, Laverne and Beverly. At the age of 17, this small town “Georgia Peach” relocated to The Big Apple; New York City where she secured a job in The Fashion District as a seamstress. This is where she met her husband, Wilfred L. Smith. Josie was a very nurturing woman. Though she gave birth to three sons and four daughters, and she also adopted a sibling group of three, two more sons and a daughter, she also fostered at least 25 other children, most calling her “Grandma.” She had a knack for taking on “at-risk infants” and sibling's groups, making sure they could remain together. Many in the “Edenwald Houses” Community would also look to her as a mother or older sister. She was truly loved by all who crossed paths with her. She was known for cooking and feeding not only her own children but anyone who was hungry. It was said that she made the best fried chicken ever! Her three sons, Charlie James Smith, Wilfred Smith, and Alfred Smith (identical twins), along with a brother, Edward C. Denson, preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Laverne Marks, Beverly Glover, Jacqueline (Roosevelt Jr.) Thompson, Theresa Smith, Johnny Davis-Smith, Danielle Davis-Smith, and Keith (Janae) Davis-Smith; her McKenzie siblings, Edward (Mary) McGrady, Mattie (George) Brown, Earline (William) Roberson, Jernese Haslem, Linda McKenzie, Eunice (Jean Mae) McKenzie, Oscar James, Deborah McKenzie, Eddie A. Muhammed, Paul (Annette) McKenzie and Rafford McKenzie; along with 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two special cousins, Lewis T. Jolly and Pauline Ravenell; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and true friends. Celebration of Life Services for Josie Mae Smith will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 1:00PM. These services will be recorded and streamed live. If the event is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire event will be uploaded and available to view later in the day. Please copy and paste the link to share, or simply click on the link to view the event. https://vimeo.com/event/3822815

Tributes

Josie Mae Smith

October 1, 1937 - October 11, 2023