Nathaniel "Princie Boy" Smith

Nathaniel "Princie Boy" Smith

Born: 6/27/1947

Died: 9/26/2020, UF Health The Villages® Hospital, The Villages, FL

Nate was born to Nathaniel “Boy” and Roberta “Doll” Smith in Zuber, FL. They made their home in Kendrick, FL. Nate was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Celestine Smith-Gaskin, and a brother Theran “Lue” Smith.

He leaves to mourn his wife Janice Smith; children Patrick Watson of Ocala, Rebekah Adderly (Ray) of Ft. Lauderdale, Na’arah Smith-Davis (Dennis) of Miami, Nathaniel Clark Smith of Columbus, OH, Nachera Smith of Stockbridge, GA, Travis Smith (Kendra) of Columbus, OH, Latasha Butler of Norwalk, CT, Tyrone Walker of Ocala, Cylina Anderson (Ed) of Dublin, GA, Stella Jackson of Stone Mountain, GA, Ulysses Coney Jr. and Jere Evans both of Reddick; two sisters Edna “Teddy” Smith-Miles (Spencer), Sandra Edwards (Todd) of Ft. Lauderdale, numerous brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.  

He received his early education in Marion County public schools and was graduated from Fessenden High School (Class of 1964) where he played football. His plans to play college football were thwarted by a physical injury. He then started his post-secondary education in Ocala at the all-black school, Hampton Junior College before moving to Connecticut where he eventually became a patrolman with the Norwalk Police Department. After several years with Norwalk PD, Nate returned to Ocala in 1974 and was hired as a patrolman where he received numerous commendations for his service to the community. Determined to excel in his career despite some opposition he became the first African American to attain the rank of Corporal with the Ocala PD which paved the way for other officers of color to achieve higher goals. He went on to complete requirements for the AS Degree in Criminal Justice at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, FL. After resigning from OPD, Nate had short stints with the Wildwood Police Department; Wildwood, FL, and Starke Police Department; Starke, FL. In 1987 after completing his tractor-trailer driver training in Jacksonville, FL, he finally found his niche doing Over-The-Road trucking. Until his retirement he was an Owner/Operator driving cross country and doing dedicated runs along the Southeastern United States.

All who knew him can remember his unorthodox philosophy of life, his hearty sense of humor, and his inimitable laugh which caused others to join in on whatever he found funny! He was a big, tall man with the heart of a little child. It was very difficult (and nearly impossible) for him to return ill treatment to those who had wronged him. His bark was much worse than his bite (so to speak) of which some people took advantage. No matter, he remained true to who he was created to be...a gentle giant!

His early church affiliation was with Progressive Union Baptist Church; Martin, FL, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior, was baptized, and was active in the Sunday School. In 1981 he renewed his commitment to Jesus Christ at Faith Christian Center; Ocala, FL, under Brother Dan McDonald, Pastor. From that point on, he stood firmly on the Word of God living his faith out loud!

Based on what he understood in the scripture Psalm 90:10, He would very seriously claim for himself threescore and ten (70) years of life on this Earth. Almighty God gave him 73 years and some change. Despite challenges with his health and complications with his heart Nate held on to his faith. Up until his last breath his children were by his side virtually reminding him of their love for him and him declaring his love to them. Finally, and so peacefully Nathaniel “Princie Boy” Smith commended his spirit unto God from his bed in the Intensive Care Unit of the Villages Hospital.

Condolences can be signed at www.Summersfh.com

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