James Ellsworth Smith, (Worthy) was born on August 26, 1939 to the late Dorothy Elizabeth Matthews and the lat Alvin Smith-Brown. He was preceded in death by his bother, Alvin LeRoi Smith, Jr.

Worthy, as he is known by family and friends grew up in DC and attended the DC Public School System where he graduated from Spingarn High School. He held several small jobs including working part time in the evenings at a neighborhood gas station because of his love for racing cars.

In September 1963, he began his long career working for Montgomery County Public Schools as a Building Service Worker and after attending several training classes was promoted to Plant Equipment Operator. He took pride in his job and always tried to help everyone he worked with.

In 1965 he met the love of his life, Frances Patricia Smith, who became his friend of twenty-six years and his devoted wife for thirty years.

James leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife, Frances Smith; one daughter, Gwendolyn Vanassa Thompson (Dewayne); one son, Rudolph Thomas (Kenyetta); three granddaughters, Myishia Smith, Kirby Dalton (Taurean), Torri Thomas; one grandson, Corey Thomas; six great grands, Malik, Tozshe, Megan, Malissam Taurean, Jr., William; a devoted friend, Alfred Britton (Susan), and a host of other close relatives and friends.