Mr. Esley Leroy Smartt

SMARTT, Mr. Esley Leroy - Age 83, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022, in Zion, Illinois. Family hour 10:30 AM Thursday, January 5, 2023, from Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the funeral home 10:30 AM Thursday. Mr. Smartt will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday with family present from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM to receive friends. In the quietness of Christmas night on December 25, 2022, Esley Leroy Smartt went home to be with the Lord. He was born April 28, 1939 in Nashville, Tennessee to the late Frank Smartt and Betty L. Smartt Allison. Esley was educated in the Metro Nashville school system and later served his country as a proud member of the United States Army Reserves from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1963. Leroy as he was well known as, worked at Vanderbilt Hospital and met and eventually courted Sarah Eleanor Wilson. They were united in marriage on February 19, 1966. From this union they raised 4 children. Their commitment lasted forty-eight years before his wife’s untimely passing. Leroy was lured to Flint, Michigan to become employed with General Motors-Chevrolet where he worked for thirty plus years. This position allowed him to be a provider for his family and a contributor to the success of the automotive industry. Having accepted Christ at an early age, he continued his spiritual journey with his own family to Vernon Chapel AME church. He loved to sing and shared his love of a variety of music with his kids. In his younger years, he loved to travel annually with his Sarah, but he especially enjoyed traveling to Detroit and Nashville to spend time with his extended family. Leroy enjoyed his retirement years by tinkering with his “toys and gadgets. As well, he spent time with his daughter researching his family’s ancestry. To cherish his memory is a devoted family; his children, sons, Jerome H. Wilson, Patrick Smartt, and Marchelle Smartt, all of Flint, MI; daughters, Demetra Allen of Nashville, TN and Jacqueline Gass of Zion, Illinois; two sisters in law, Susanna Smartt of Nashville, TN and Marion Collins of Flint, MI; thirteen grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and dear friends including lifelong friend, Audrey Banks. Leroy is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sarah; his parents, Frank Smartt and Betty L. Smartt-Allison; brother, Frank Smartt; sisters, Mary Richmond-Neloms, Clara Bulls and Margaret Smartt; and grandson, Landon (Hairston) Varner. The family would also like to express special thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Illinois for all of their love and care provided to Esley.

Mr. Esley Leroy Smartt

April 28, 1939 - December 25, 2022