Joe Lindy Smith

Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory of Enterprise

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Posted by: Sorrells Funeral Home
[email protected]
334-347-9598
Date: Nov 07 2013 4:43 PM

Sorrells Funeral Home & Crematory
4550 Boll Weevil Circle
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
(334) 347-9598
Date: November 7, 2013
Obituary: Joe Lindy Smith

            Mr. Joe Lindy Smith of Enterprise passed away on Thursday, November 07, 2013. He was 83.
            Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 11:00 am at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Enterprise with Father Gregory Okarobia officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 8 from 5 – 7 pm at the Chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory in Enterprise. Burial with full military honors will follow at Meadowlawn Cemetery in Enterprise with Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory directing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe’s name to St. John Catholic Church Building Fund, 123 Heath Street, Enterprise, AL 36330.
            Mr. Smith was born on February 20, 1929 in Tylertown, MS to the late Newell Booker and Bessie Lee Hall Smith. He graduated as the Valedictorian of Lexie High School in 1947. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 and completed basic training in 1951, when he then went to Leadership School at Fort Chaffee, AK. In 1952, he attended the 1^st Class of Officer Candidate School (OCS) – Signal Corps – at Fort Monmouth, NJ then began an 18 month tour in Korea in 1953. In 1956, he entered flight school in San Marcos, TX, completing fixed wing and helicopter training at Fort Rucker, AL. In 1959, Mr. Smith went to Thailand to serve 2 years with the Joint United States Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG). He served as the military liaison between Fort Rucker, AL, and Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1964, and was a part of test flying the Mohawk’s terrain avoidance for radar. In 1966, in Fort Benning, GA, he assisted in forming an assault helicopter company to go to Vietnam. After 4 months, he went to Vietnam for a year and was selected to organize the first of 2 avionics maintenance companies in the country. He completed his military career in 1971 as the aviation liaison to the commanding general at Fort Monmouth, NJ. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of active duty and moved to Enterprise, AL.
            Following his retirement from the military, he studied Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at McArthur Technical College in Opp, AL, and then was hired to replace his former instructor. During his 15 year tenure at McArthur Technical College, he attended Athens State College in Athens, AL, where he completed his Masters Degree. He served in the positions of Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator of the Catholic men’s group, the K of C, at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Enterprise, AL. The K of C helps severely mentally challenged children.
            In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, N.B. Smith and a sister, Delora Higgenbotham.
            Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Kathleen June Cronin Smith of Enterprise; 3 daughters: Linda Pearson (Larry) of Montgomery, AL, Lori Ingram (Jim) of Carrollton, GA, LeeAnn Capps (Cliff) of Enterprise, AL; 1 brother: Neil Smith (Donis) of Tylertown, MS; 3 sisters: Alda Smith of Tylertown, MS, Willa Smith of Tylertown, MS, Alla-Fay Fike of Prentiss, MS; 4 grandchildren: Cody Pearson (Monica), Taylor Allen (Blake), Michael Ingram, Katherine Ingram; 4 great-grandchildren: Cloe, Landon, Cale, Liam.
            Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory of Enterprise, (334) 347-9598, is in charge of arrangements. To sign a guest register, please visit www.sorrellsfuneralhomes.com.

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