He was born and reared in Chester County, Enville Area, the son of the late Ivy Granderson and Pearlie Essary Smith. He attended schools in Chester County. He lived in Memphis most of his adult life and worked for Illinois Central Railroad. He had made his home in Tunica for the last few years.He is survived by a son, Bryan Smith (Renee) of Sardis, TN; a daughter, Amanda Stewart of Dyersburg; four grandchildren; three brothers, Dennis Smith of Tullahoma, TN, Glen Smith of Memphis and Sam Smith of Adamsville; five sisters, Bobbie Helms of Adamsville, Wanda Johnson of Parsons, Dorothy McBroom of Lenoir City, TN, Betty McClellan of Lenoir City, TN and Brenda Bushnell of Reagan.