Livestreaming of the service is not available; however, the RECORDED SERVICES can be viewed here

Russell "Joker" Smith was born June 8, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the 5th child of John H. and Doris Smith. His childhood roots take place in the Cabrini Green Housing projects on Chicago's North Side where he met and bonded with many of his lifelong friends. Russell was by far one of the many success stories that came out of Cabrini in spite of its notorious negative reputation. He graduated from Jenner Grammar School and Cooley High School.

Russell enlisted in the US Army on July 28, 1977. Russell served 20 years in the Army until he retired in July 1997. After retirement, he attended Southern Illinois University (SIUE) where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in social work.

Russell loved jazz and learned to play the saxophone while at SIUE. He left his cherished music collection at home (Mama's House) while at school. It was meticulously organized and shelved in alphabetical order. He dared anyone to touch it. He was also a bike enthusiast with an active membership in the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. He served as treasurer for several years. Russell also did several missions tours with the Nurses of Africa. He was a very fashionable dresser with a style of his own...and he had a big, charismatic personality that won perfect strangers over as friends everywhere he went.

That big personality captured the attention of Gina Ross while stationed in Texas, and before long, they were married. He brought her to Chicago to meet her new family prior to leaving for their next station in Germany. Russell and Gina brought together a blended family with his three children Schlise, Justin, Marija, and her son Aaron.

Russell was a faithful member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, where he served as a member of the health unit. He continued to play the sax as a hobby, but also joined the gospel quartet that performed at various churches and other local events.

It may have been the Army that gave Russell the travel bug because HE LOVED TO TRAVEL...and the places he went were far and near across the globe from exotic places like Japan and Peru, to stateside favorites like Mt. Rushmore, DC and New Orleans. His goal was to visit countries on at least 6 of the 7 continents. He wasn't interested in Antarctica...too cold. He made all of the other 6 except Australia. His talks and posts about traveling were so contagious that he gave others travel fever. He vacationed the past few years with an entourage of companions – family as well as good friends.

Russell left us suddenly and quietly on June 25th, at 5:29 pm to make his final travel destination. He knew he had to do that one alone. He leaves so many with fond memories, including his loving wife Gina; four children Schlise (Curtis) Browley, Aaron Morris, Justin (Sarah) Smith, and Marija (Talib) Amen-Ra; brothers John (Martha) Smith, the late Calvin, the late Vincent, Harvey (Shanell) Reed, Anthony Reed; sisters Joan (Jon) Clay, Janet Campbell, Lora Session and Linda (Ronald) Reed; thirteen grandchildren, one great- grandson and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends; all of whom love him and will carry his loving spirit in our hearts!

Visitation: 9:30 - 10:30 am, Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 5803 Belmont Ave., East St. Louis, IL 62203.

A Service to Celebrate the Life of Russell Smith will begin at 10:30 am, Wednesday, at the church, with Pastor Travis Norris officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

Livestreaming of the service is not available; however, the services will be recorded and posted when available for public viewing.