Russell "Teddy" Smith Jr. was born on Aug. 16, 1967, to Russell Sr. and Clandie Smith. He attended the Madison County Public School System in Madison, Fla., where he played football and baseball for the Cowboys.
He confessed Christ in 2011 and was a member of New Testament Christian Center in Madison, Fla. under the leadership of Pastor Pat Doyle.
Russell had strong work ethics. He started working at an early age with poultry. He worked for Dixie Packers, he was a truck driver for 25 years, he worked at Greenville Timber as a foreman, and he was a farmer for Southern Farms and CMJIII. Logging was his last employment due to health issues in 2017.
Russell was an avid hunter, fisherman and mechanic. He was a devoted, caring and compassionate husband and father. If you encountered him, you would never be the same because he was a loving and joyous person.
Russell leaves to cherish his memories a loving, devoted wife and caregiver of eighteen years, Theresa Melton Smith; four daughters: Tanyata Smith, of Madison, Fla.; Amy and Jasmie Smith, of Lake City, Fla.; and Rashonta Hall, of Pinetta, Fla.; three sons: Felix Smith, of Lake City; Ontario Smith, of Pinetta; and Larcedious Jones III (Passione), of Opelika, Ala,; five grandchildren: Karsyn McCray, of Madison; Zaylen Alford, Railyn, Rylen and Aaliyah Smith, all of Lake City; parents: Russell Sr. and Clandie Smith, of Madison; four sisters: Deborah Sims, of Asbury Park, N.J.; Victoria Smith, of Madison; Lori Smith, of Perry, Fla.; and Kimika Smith, of Tallahassee, Fla.; two brothers: Brandon and Brian Smith, of Madison; Mother-in-Law, Mary (Richard) Anderson, of Madison; goddaughters; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, friends and colleagues.