Mr. Hilton Smith, Sr.

Mr. Hilton Smith Sr., 93, of Tampa, FL, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025, after a lengthy illness. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at The Christian Praise and Worship Center, 2605 N. 15th St., Tampa, FL, 33605, with Rev. Dr. James L. Gallon, Officiating.

Hilton was born on August 9, 1932, in Tampa, Florida, to David and Ruby Day Smith. He attended Don Thompson High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army and began his career as a prized fighter/boxer. Hilton retired as a truck driver many years ago.

He lost his loving wife, Mary, of 68 years, in 2020. As the last surviving sibling of 9, he was preceded in death by:  his parents, David and Ruby Day Smith, and siblings, Coreen Smith, Levi Smith, Hazel Pittman, Amos Smith, Mary Jenkins, Evangeline Polite, Milton Smith, and Jerome Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memory:  his five children, Rodney C. Jones Sr., Sylvia Smith Johnson, Lynn Smith, Hilton Smith Jr., and Steven Smith (Teresa); twelve grandchildren, Latosha Williams, Anthony Bagley, LeChrystal Williams (Mark), Celeste Jones, Rodney C. Jones Jr. (Erica), Henry Sirmons III, Regis Smith, Juanita Smith, LaToya Jackson (Ketner), Steven Smith, Dontavius Anderson and Renisha Anderson; 20 great-grandchildren; his special nieces and nephews, Ralph Rance (Tina), Yvonne Ballard, Brenda Kerr (Floyd), Lorraine Nunn (Warren), Annette Jenkins, Patrica Bankston, Pete Smith (Diane), Angelina Alexander (Robert), Stephanie Harvey (Scotty), and Marshel Smith; a host of relatives, including the Smith Family in Lakeland, Florida; special friends of the family, the Latson family, Gail Carey, Rona Roberts Pryor and family, Pamela Knight, and the Knight Family in Miami, FL.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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