Dr. Jonathan Eric Smith

Today we celebrate the remarkable life, enduring faith, and loving spirit of Dr. Jonathan Eric Smith (affectionally known by family as “Bubba”).  On June 11, 2026, he transitioned from earthly labor into eternal rest in the loving arms of our Lord and Saviour at the age of 58 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

Jonathan was born on July 12, 1967, in Maury County, Tennessee, to Alex and Gwendolyn Smith.  He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Columbia, Tennessee, under the leadership of Reverend James Harris, and he continued to walk by unwavering faith in God throughout his life.  In 1999, he received his Certificate of Ordination from Joshua Christian Church (formerly, Friendship Baptist Church) in Oakland, California, and, throughout the years, served in ministry at Lighthouse Covenant Fellowship in Benicia, California, Calvary Revival Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, and Mission Church in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Jonathan graduated from Columbia Central High School in Columbia, Tennessee, Class of 1985, where he played varsity football for the Columbia Central Lions and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year.  After high school, he attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, under football scholarship with the Tennessee State Tigers, and he later attended the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama, under football scholarship with the North Alabama Lions.  In 1987, Jonathan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he received the Good Conduct Medal, and, in 1993, he received an honorable discharge as an E-4 Corporal.  In 1999, Jonathan graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Patten University in Oakland, California.  In 2003, he received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology along with a Certificate of Pastoral Counseling from Holy Names University in Oakland, California.  In 2010, he received a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Systems from Saybrook University in Pasadena, California.

Jonathan worked a number of years in the crisis intervention and stabilization field in California and Virginia, and, until his death, practiced as a licensed marriage and family therapist under his sole proprietorship, The Wellness Collaborative, LLC, in Norfolk, Virginia. In 2013, he authored The Transcultural Leader, Leading the Way to PCA (Purposeful Cooperative Action): Leadership for all Human Systems, and, in 2023, he co-authored with his wife, Katara,  Never Done Becoming One.  While his professional and personal accomplishments were important to him, his greatest passion was serving God.

In the spring of 1988, Jonathan met Katara Major, and they married a few months later on June 17, 1988.  They shared 38 years of marriage together and raised and cared for their four children, Dakari, Imani, Joshua, and Niyah.  Jonathan’s family was one of the greatest joys of his life.  He cherished every opportunity to support and celebrate his loved ones, and his love for them was consistent, genuine, and unconditional.

Jonathan is preceded in death by his father, Alex Daniel Smith, his mother, Gwendolyn Rone Symlar Smith, his twin brother, Robert Aaron Smith, his sister, Jennifer Lynn Smith, his maternal grandparents, Joe Scott Symlar II and Roberta Martin Russell Symlar (“Nannie”), his maternal uncle, Joe Scott Symlar III “Uncle Butch”, his maternal great grandparents, Robert L. (“Granddaddy”) and Marilla Russell, his paternal grandparents, James Aaron Smith, Sr. and Eula Smith of Columbia, TN, and many other relatives and close friends. 

He leaves in mourning, his loving and devoted wife, Katara Smith, four children, Dakari David Smith, Imani Immanuel Smith, Joshua Barak Smith (Casey), and Niyah Lynn Smith, two grandsons, Kayson Amir Smith and Uriah Major Smith, one sister, Leslie Kay Symlar Smith (“Sister”), one mother in love, Naima Major, one sister in love, Salimah LaForce (Tye), one brother in love, Mwanza Major (Sala), one special paternal uncle, Larry J. Smith (Carole) of Denver, Colorado, one special maternal first cousin, Franco Symlar (Jennifer), along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, church family members and friends.

Although we grieve Jonathan’s absence, we rejoice in the life that he lived and the legacy that he leaves behind.