Alfonso Columbus Smith was born to the late William Jeremiah and Annie B. Smith on February 10, 1940 in Dallas, Texas as the 2nd of 5 children. Alfonso, affectionately known as “Bubba” or “Smitty” to his family and friends, saw his sunset on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Alfonso graduated in 1958 from the historical Lincoln High School in sunny South Dallas. He served in the United States Army for 3 years where he was honorably discharged as a 1st Class Missileman with a Good Conduct Medal and an Expert Rifleman award. Alfonso married Caritha Goree in April of 1965 and was blessed with three children, Sunsee Ray Pearson, Catrice Yvonne Hines, and Barron Jeremiah. He provided for his family by advancing to leadership at Hormel until the close of the local plant at which time he engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits in the insurance and home improvement sectors. He knew no strangers from sipping coffee at Black & Clark Mortuary, to socially working out at the local YMCA, to collaborating with neighbors with the neighborhood Crime Watch, to his later years swapping stories at the local Oak Cliff penny houses, to talking trash with childhood friends winning domino games, to traveling with the Lords and Ladies of the Top Ladies of Distinction where he was a wonderfully supportive husband. Continuing the legacy of faith in his family, he spent his early years as a member of Elizabeth Chapel CME and as an adult actively participated as a faithful lay person and choir member of Glendale Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. His life was filled with a love for the outdoors, where he fished for bass as an active member of the Dallas Bass Hookers, and where he was seldom found without his favorite mode of transport as an avid boater.
Alfonso leaves behind his wife, 3 children, 3 grandchildren (Brandon Todd, Solomon Ray, and Samuel Marcel), 2 granddogs (Domingo and Dot), and 1 great grand cat (Max). He also leaves behind a daughter in law (Karbia), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Alfonso was preceded in home-going by 2 brothers, (William Nathaniel Smith and Baby John Edward) and 2 sisters (Jerry Ann Smith White and Tommie Jean Smith Lintz).
