James Michael Smith

James Michael Smith, of Clinton, MD, passed away on May 29, 2016, at the Veteran’s Hospital Center in Washington, DC, after a lengthy illness. Michael was born in Springfield, MA on October 4, 1943. He graduated from Hancock Central High School in Sparta, Georgia in 1961 and attended Howard University in Washington, DC before joining the United States Army in 1966. Michael served in Vietnam in 1967-1968. He was discharged from the Army in 1975 and returned to Howard University to completer his bachelor and master’s degrees in English. He married Diretta Smith of Sunderland, Maryland in 1978. Michael worked with many different federal agencies, retiring in 2006 with the defense Energy Support Center in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Michael leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife, Diretta; two daughters, Kira Marie (Vincent) Moore, of New York, and Heather Naima Smith, of Laure, Maryland; three brothers, Jay Clifford (Yvonne) Smith, of Clinton, Maryland, William Blaine (Diane) Smith of Accokeek, Maryland, and David Mark (Janet) Smith of Sparta, Georgia; five grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Michael Smith please visit our Sympathy Store.