He was born Nov. 20, 1944, in Memphis, Tenn., to Willie L. and Henrietta (Patterson) Hicks. He was adopted and raised by Elijah and Thelma Smith.

Mr. Smith is survived by one son, Eli W. "Warren" (Cecelia) Smith Jr. of Atlanta; one daughter, Angelica M. Hatchett of Elkhart; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five sisters, Rosetta Smith and Thelma (Gerald) Jackson, both of Elkhart, Mary E. Evans of Milwaukee, Dolores Moore of Buffalo, N.Y., and Willie J. Harston of Chicago; and four brothers, Robert Smith of Elkhart, George and Freddie Steward, both of Memphis, and Jerome Steward,

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Benny L. Hicks and Mac Author.

Friends may call one hour prior to Friday's 11 a.m. memorial service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The Rev. Linda K. Barnes of the Conner-Mayo A.M.E. Church of Dowagiac, Mich., will officiate. Cremation has taken place.

Mr. Smith worked at LaSalle-Deitch as a furniture upholsterer for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2007. He enjoyed collecting and making things with his hands in his free time. He liked to draw in charcoal and used matchsticks to craft things.

Memorials may be given to Mr. Smith's children.