Mr. Ozie Smith, Jr.

Mr. Ozie Smith, Jr., formerly of Cordele, Georgia, died Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida.

The funeral service will be on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Ozie Smith, Jr., affectionately known as Shang, was born on April 29, 1941, in Cordele, Georgia, to the parentage of Ozie Smith, Sr., and Mollie Thomas Smith. He was the third child of nine.

Ozie matriculated through the Crisp County School System, where he graduated from A.S. Clark High School in Cordele, Georgia, in the Class of 1963. After graduating from high school, Ozie held numerous jobs, such as the Fair Store in Cordele, Georgia, and he also worked for the Perlis Family along with his sister Beatrice.

As a young man, Ozie met Maudell Hoskin, the love of his life. Ozie relocated to Miami, Florida in 1963, where he lived with his older brother Manuel ‘Sonny’ and his family. In 1967, Ozie married Maudell Hoskin Smith and moved with Aunt Vera. To this union, a baby girl named Arlinda was born.

During his life, Ozie worked as a dough mixer with Royal Bakery, New York Bakery, and Holsum Bakery. In 2003, Ozie retired. It was this time that allowed him to spend time with his family.

Ozie attended his final earthly family gathering on Saturday, July 25, in Cordele, Georgia. On the evening of Saturday, August 1, at 9:30 PM, Ozie bid his loving wife, daughter, and granddaughter a goodbye because he knew his work here on earth was done. On Sunday, August 2, at 7:07 AM, Ozie began his final journey here on earth, and at 10:16 AM, he answered God’s call at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. He boarded the train that was heaven-bound and did not look back.

Ozie leaves to cherish his loving wife of 59 years, Maudell Smith, Miami, FL; two daughters: Fellini Smith, Albany, GA, and Arlinda Smith ‘Toni’, Miami, FL; three grandchildren: Demetrius Jackson, Tifton, GA, Denise Smith-Hepburn, Miami, FL, and Stefon Mills (Dana), Locust Grove, GA; five great-grandchildren:  MaLeah and De’Asia Jackson, Albany, GA, Dementrick Jackson, Tifton, GA, Ja;Cari and Omari Mills, Locust Grove, GA; one great-great-grandson: DaQuawn Jackson, Albany, GA; one sister: Alice Hill, Cordele, GA; one brother: Roosevelt Smith, Cordele, GA; two sisters-in-law: Regina Smith, Cordele, GA and Margaret Chatman, Plantation, FL; special nieces: Carol Johnson, Cordele, GA, Stephanie Smith and Gwendolyn Wells (Duck), Port St. Lucie, FL, Stinuel Smith, Jacksonville, FL, Marilyn Smith and Pamela Reese, Cordele, GA, Tatíca Henry and Tamera Wells, Miami, FL, Janie Smith, Miami, FL and Lucinda Hoskin, Byromnville, GA; special nephews: Carlos Smith, Port St. Lucie, FL, Antwan Smith (Debrell), Miami, FL, Pierre Smith, North Dakota, Larosstin Johnson, McDonough, GA and Marquis Johnson (Tasha) Atlanta, GA; special cousins: who were treated as nephews Christopher Montgomery, Macon, GA and Kenneth Bain (Tonda), Orlando, FL; Goddaughter Cynthia Paul Gaitor, Miami, FL; Adopted Mother Mary Gaines, Miami, FL and special friends Ellen and Hattie Paul, Miami, FL, Mr. Elkin and Gloria, Tampa, FL and a very special son, Rae Rouse and family, St. Thomas, V.I.; special neighbors, Ms. Barbara and family, and a host of other relatives and friends, as well as the 42nd Street and 17th Avenue neighborhood in Miami, Florida.