Joe A. Smith, 77, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at the medical intensive care unit at UAB Hospital. His celebration service will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church, Gadsden. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. The speakers at the service will be the Rev. Bryan Blass, Scott Little, Jim Stivender, Dwight Keith, Jim Martin, Charlie Boman and Ben Rosser. There will be a private burial service. The family requests no flowers, but memorials to First Baptist Church of Gadsden or the Salvation Army in Gadsden. Joe is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy Golson Smith; three children, Randa Smith Hall (Steve), Joseph Earl Smith (Dorothy) and Catherine Smith Bridgers (Mark); six grandsons, Peyton and Ian Hall, Will and Clark Smith and Bryant and Malone Bridgers. He is also survived by his sister, Frances Smith Little (Harvey); niece, Shannon Little Ellis (Jared); nephew, Scott Little (Neece); brother-in-law, Bill Golson, Atlanta; and great-nieces, nephews and numerous cousins. It is said for us to live a life after the example of Christ, and Joe exemplified this in every aspect of his life. Joe walked the walk and talked the talk and he did so with love, compassion, kindness and grace. His everlasting smile and his contagious laugh will forever be in our hearts. Joe was a graduate of Gadsden High School where he was president of the SGA, co-captain of the basketball team and received the Cross Cup at graduation for the most outstanding senior. Joe graduated from the University of Alabama where he served as director of interfraternity sports, worked in SGA, IFC, sports editor of the Corolla and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Joe then served for two years in the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany. In Gadsden, Joe was public relations director and director of training at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., and he also served as advisor for Goodyear's Top Ten Club members. He received the Spirit Award at Goodyear. He worked for Gov. Guy Hunt in ADECA for six years and was president of Network South Consulting Company. He was a former chairman of the United Way board, president of the HOPE board, chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory board, and former Republican Party chairman of Etowah County. Joe also served as a member of John Croyle's Big Oak Ranch's first board. He served as a liaison to Gov. Riley for Darden Rehabilitation Services. Joe was appointed as a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame board. He was inducted into the Etowah County Patriots Hall of Fame in 2002. Joe was a member of the Gadsden City Board of Education. A former national vice-president of the University Alabama Alumni Council, Joe was also a member of the First and Ten Club and Red Elephant Club. A member of First Baptist Church, Joe was in the Stivender Sunday School class and was former chairman of the board of deacons. He has served on several committees for First Baptist Church as well as EBA. Joe was former president of the 21 Club and Inter-Se Club, as well as participating in the Monthly Couples Supper Club for 49 years. The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Riverview, MICU staff at UAB, Alacare Home Health, and the Surgery Clinic of Gadsden, including Dr. Lucian Newman Jr. and Dr. J.S. Franklin.