Obituary for Sadie Smith
Sadie Smith was born in Wetumpka, Alabama on March 15, 1939 to John “Buddy” Bozeman and Roosevelt
“Velta” Shepard, both parents proceeded her in death.
Sadie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Central,
Alabama. She later joined Trinity Community Baptist Church, under the watchful care of the late Reverend
William Ivy.
She attended school at the Elmore County Training Center (W. B. Doby High School) in Wetumpka, Alabama.
Sadie held various jobs and eventually worked for more than twenty years as a Mail Room/Print Shop Supervi-
sor for Mount Sinai Hospital of Chicago.
Sadie was United in holy matrimony to her childhood sweetheart, Willie C. Smith, on September 11, 1954.
To this union five children were born. In 1956 Sadie and Willie relocated to Chicago.
Sadie loved to cook. She was known for her baking skills and cooking for big family holiday celebrations. She
also contributed recipes which were published in the Trinity Community Baptist Church cookbook. She never
met a stranger she wouldn’t feed. Everyone was welcomed at her table.
She enjoyed hosting Bid Whist and other card game parties, which often included fish frying and her husband
spinning his blues records. She also enjoyed attending to her garden of collard greens, string beans, toma-
toes and other vegetables. She would often share her crop yield with neighbors and friends. She also enjoyed
traveling for family gatherings.
Sadie made her transition on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Loyola University Medical Center. She is preceded
in death by her husband of sixty years, Willie Smith; her two children; her daughter Jacqueline Smith; her
grandson, Willie (Too Too) C. J. Smith; six brothers and three sisters.
She leaves to cherish: Two sons, Jeffrey Smith of Washington, D.C. and Bruce Smith of Chicago, IL; one
granddaughter, Regina Smith-Sims (Billy Sims); four grandsons, Ronald Terry McGhee, Squire McGhee,
Adonis McGhee and Ronald Terry Oliver, all of Birmingham, Alabama; a special great-grandson, Billy C. J.
Sims; two sisters, Virgia Thomas of San Antonio, Texas and Gertie Dixon of Akron, Ohio; and a host of
relatives and friends.
Musical Prelude ........................................................................................ William Oats (Organist)
Processional ................................................................................................... Family and Minister
Scripture .................................................................................................................... Rev. Parker
Prayer ....................................................................................................................... Rev. Parker
Selection ........................................................................................................ Avenell Washington
Tribute ................................................................................................................. Ruthie Thomas
Acknowledgement ..................................................................................................... Lottie Emory
Poem ........................................................................................................................ Janine Scott
Selection ............................................................................................... Minister DeAngelo Person
Remarks ................................................................................................................. 2 min. please
Eulogy ....................................................... Rev. Thelton G. Parker of Greater Mount Vernon Church
Recessional..................................................................................................... Family and Minister
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Service: 10:30 a.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644
“Velta” Shepard, both parents proceeded her in death.
Sadie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Central,
Alabama. She later joined Trinity Community Baptist Church, under the watchful care of the late Reverend
William Ivy.
She attended school at the Elmore County Training Center (W. B. Doby High School) in Wetumpka, Alabama.
Sadie held various jobs and eventually worked for more than twenty years as a Mail Room/Print Shop Supervi-
sor for Mount Sinai Hospital of Chicago.
Sadie was United in holy matrimony to her childhood sweetheart, Willie C. Smith, on September 11, 1954.
To this union five children were born. In 1956 Sadie and Willie relocated to Chicago.
Sadie loved to cook. She was known for her baking skills and cooking for big family holiday celebrations. She
also contributed recipes which were published in the Trinity Community Baptist Church cookbook. She never
met a stranger she wouldn’t feed. Everyone was welcomed at her table.
She enjoyed hosting Bid Whist and other card game parties, which often included fish frying and her husband
spinning his blues records. She also enjoyed attending to her garden of collard greens, string beans, toma-
toes and other vegetables. She would often share her crop yield with neighbors and friends. She also enjoyed
traveling for family gatherings.
Sadie made her transition on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Loyola University Medical Center. She is preceded
in death by her husband of sixty years, Willie Smith; her two children; her daughter Jacqueline Smith; her
grandson, Willie (Too Too) C. J. Smith; six brothers and three sisters.
She leaves to cherish: Two sons, Jeffrey Smith of Washington, D.C. and Bruce Smith of Chicago, IL; one
granddaughter, Regina Smith-Sims (Billy Sims); four grandsons, Ronald Terry McGhee, Squire McGhee,
Adonis McGhee and Ronald Terry Oliver, all of Birmingham, Alabama; a special great-grandson, Billy C. J.
Sims; two sisters, Virgia Thomas of San Antonio, Texas and Gertie Dixon of Akron, Ohio; and a host of
relatives and friends.
Musical Prelude ........................................................................................ William Oats (Organist)
Processional ................................................................................................... Family and Minister
Scripture .................................................................................................................... Rev. Parker
Prayer ....................................................................................................................... Rev. Parker
Selection ........................................................................................................ Avenell Washington
Tribute ................................................................................................................. Ruthie Thomas
Acknowledgement ..................................................................................................... Lottie Emory
Poem ........................................................................................................................ Janine Scott
Selection ............................................................................................... Minister DeAngelo Person
Remarks ................................................................................................................. 2 min. please
Eulogy ....................................................... Rev. Thelton G. Parker of Greater Mount Vernon Church
Recessional..................................................................................................... Family and Minister
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Service: 10:30 a.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644