Erron 'J.B.' Lee Smith Jr.

Erron Lee Smith Jr. (JB) passed away in the early morning on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at his home in Urbana, IL. He was born on October 23, 1954 to Erron Lee Smith Sr. and Anita Tartt.

JB was born in Chicago, IL and attended school on the south side of the city. He graduated from Englewood High School in the spring of 1972. He also attended the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh, WI. He was married in 1973 and had one daughter, Nemiah Shepard.

JB had a successful career as an insurance broker. After working for several trucking companies, JB proudly became an independent owner-operator of his own trucking company.

JB lived a full life and had a tremendous love for his family and friends. He enjoyed traveling, being outdoors, riding motorcycles, playing dominoes and cards, listening to jazz and R&B, and grilling in the backyard.

He is survived by his daughter Nemiah (Eric) Shepard; grandchildren Carmen, Carla, Frankie, and Tylan; great-grandson Vinny; siblings Leroy Tartt, Ann Miller, Sandra Smith, and Jackie Thomas; brother-in-law Eddie Whitaker; nieces Arnita Tartt, Latisha Moore, and Nubia Whitaker; nephews David Coleman and Malcolm Jamal, whom he loved like a son; and special person Joanna.

JB also leaves to mourn his aunts Clementha Ingram, Mildred Smith, Florine Curtis, Eartha Bea Tartt, Viola Jones, and Lila Jean Tartt; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and loving friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Audrey Smith-Whitaker.

A memorial celebration of J.B.s life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Champaign, Illinois 710 N Neil St. Champaign, Illinois 61820. Memorial visitation will be held prior from 11am-1pm at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to J.B.s family. Please join his family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.