Joseph Arthur "Joby" Smith, Jr.

Mr. Joseph Arthur “Joby” Smith, Jr., 82, of Mount Airy, passed away Monday, September 6, 2021, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Smith was born May 12, 1939, in Forsyth County, to the late Joseph Arthur Smith, Sr. and Leona Allen Smith. Joby was a faithful member of Bannertown Baptist Church, where he served as a former deacon for 15 years. He loved greeting families and serving as church usher. He was a former member of the Mount Airy Lions Club. Joby followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was the fire chief in Winston-Salem for many years. Joby started his career in 1963, as a volunteer fireman at Bannertown Fire Department. He was awarded “Fireman of the Year” for both Bannertown and Mount Airy Fire departments. Joby retired from the Mount Airy Fire Department in 1993, as an assistant fire chief. Joby was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law. Joby is survived by his wife of 61 years, Polly Kirkman Smith; his daughter, Paula Smith and her husband, Bryan Griswold; two grandsons, Bryan Griswold and Smith (Melissa) Griswold; a sister-in-law, Vada Smith; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Joby was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Sue (Al) Norman; and a brother, William Leonard “Bill” Smith. The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Bannertown Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mickey Cogdill officiating. Burial will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens, with honorary firefighter rites conducted by the Mount Airy Fire Department Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:00 until 2:00 PM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bannertown Baptist Church Building Fund, 1834 Westfield Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family asks that the public practice social distancing and wear a face mask. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.