Advertisement

Carl Smittick was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on April 23, 1923 to Willie and Bessie Smittick. His family nicknamed him “Chubby” because he was such a big baby, and to this day many in the family know him as Uncle Chubby. Carl was always fiercely independent and a hard worker. Carl left home at a very young age. When he left home, Carl quickly realized that he needed a better way to make a living for himself and he joined what was then the Army-Air Force. He always joked that when the Army-Air Force separated, they took all the smart ones to the Air Force. But whatever the reason, Carl joined the Air Force and made a career of serving in the armed forces. Carl served during World War II and was part of the support crew for the Tuskegee Airmen. After retiring from the Air Force in 1973, Carl made a career working for the federal government. Carl worked at the U.S. Post Office and the General Services Administration. Throughout his life Carl provided inspiration by telling young people around him that they could do anything they wanted if they set their mind to it. Carl was often one of the strongest cheerleaders for the young people around him. In his almost 98 years of life, Carl saw many changes in the world, and he had a wealth of knowledge on many different topics and would serve as a source of information to those around him. Carl was preceded in death by his daughter Jackie Buck and is survived by his children, Carl Smittick, Jr., Linda Joy Boulden, Willie Smittick, Gloria Jean Smittick, BeLinda Tillman, David Smittick, Emma Jean Elliot, Ronnie Smittick, Kirk Smittick, Kevin Smittick, Sherry Clark, Victor Smittick, Laura Smittick, and Gloria Marie Smittick as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren. Also, Carl was everyone’s “favorite uncle” and he is survived by many nieces, nephews and other family members. Funeral Services are scheduled at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church with burial in St. John Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Green Hill Funeral Home from 5-8 pm on Friday, April 16th.