John Smith Jr. was born October 1, 1954 to the union of John Smith, Sr and Earthaleen Black Smith in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. John accepted Christ at a young age. He was a member of Mt. Zion MB Baptist Church of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He attended Rolling Fork High School and later pursued a career in plumbing. John also owned his own business in Vicksburg formerly known as  Smith Plumbing Company and Smith Lounge. Also known by his friends  and employees as "98" and "Big John", John had a passion for fishing, hunting, sports and exotic cars.  On March 14, 1997, he married Willia Norris and a blended family of nine children was formed. John worked for many years as a Production Manager with Roto Rooter of Memphis, TN. His passion, knowledge, expertise along with his motivation to provide a legacy for his family, led to his establishment of his own business All-Clear Drain and Plumbing  LLC which was established in 2007.

On Friday June 30, 2023 at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, TN, John Smith, Jr. departed into eternal life. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son John Smith III, his two brothers Abe Smith and Johnny Brown, and two sisters Juanita Jones and Susie Smith.

His memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of his wife Willia Norris Smith; four sons Roderick Tate, Tracey(Joyce) Hammer, Mallie(Tronica) and Christopher Lawrence; four daughters Zandra Smith (Bobby), Eartha Johnson, Chrysta Smith, Sharonda (Kenneth) Riley; one godson Antonio Thomas Flood, brother Robert (Essie) Smith; sister Johnell (Marvin) Worles; grandchildren Shaneisha Jackson, Shawnderrick Jackson, Alexis Eatmon, Courtney(Demarcus) Sims, Cornecia (Donterrius) Mead, Christopher( Brieuna) Smith, Cameron Smith, Pariesha Bee, Kurtis Bee, Tracee Hammer, Toriona Hammer, and  Charnecia Davis; two brothers-in law- Elja(Loretta) Norris, Johnnie Norris, and sister in law Sheryl (David) Johnson and a host of extended grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins; two special children Reggie and Tameka;  four childhood friends Harry Glasper, Danny Brown, Curt Brown, and Charles Myles.