Gail Wardell Smith aka Smitty, was born on August 6, 1958, to Mitchell and Lucy-Lee Smith in Mullins, South Carolina. He was one of twelve children.

He played basketball and football as a teenager. After graduating from high school, he moved to NY where he was a successful business owner who ran a candy store and speak easy club. Then in 1977 he met his wife Eileen and they moved to NJ in 1987 where they continued to expand their family to 5 children.

In NJ he worked at Progresso Soup Company as a cook, in construction, landscaping, and car detailing among other jobs. He enjoyed being on the grill, hosting cookouts, playing spades, and spending time with his large family. He was most known for cracking jokes, speaking from his heart, and collecting his birthday money early. He lived life on his own terms and always said that he wanted his funeral to be a big party not people sitting around crying about him.

His children's fondest memory is him cooking late night meals in the kitchen and making a southern meal with the fewest ingredients.

He is survived by his wife Eileen Smith, daughters: Shyreta DeVine (Ryan), Tracey Brascom (Christopher), Stacey Adams (Shamar), sons: Wardell Smith (Alexis) and Jonathan Smith. He has 19 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is also survived by: Anna Woods (William Woods), Liston Smith (Queenie), McArthur (Catherine), Arletha Smith, Vera Ellen Weaver (LaVern), Carey Smith (Heather) and sisters in law: Claudette Smith and Jacqueline Smith, and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Preceding him in death is his Mother and Father, older sister Daisy Smith, Thelma Fletcher (Wallace), brothers: Mitchell Smith Jr. (Mary), Wilson Smith, and Hoyt Smith.