Julie Lynn Smith, 61, passed away peacefully at 9:03 pm Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. after a short illness.
Julie was born April 21, 1961, in Galesburg the daughter of Milton and Sandra (Jackson) Jones, Sr. She married Douglas L. “Heavy” Smith on June 4, 1999, in Galesburg, he preceded her in death December 1999.
Left to cherish her memories are her two daughters, Sharnel Jones and Ashley Jackson both of Galesburg; her step mother, Ann Jones of Galesburg; three brothers, Walter (Susan) Gordon and Milton Jones, Jr. both of Galesburg, and Laron (Benita) Jones of Houston, Texas; eight sisters, Veronica “Kay” Johnson of Decatur, Illinois, Terryl Gordon of Maplewood, Minnesota, Twyla McCutcheon and Shron Pinkney both of Peoria, Shante Shepherd of Cleveland, Ohio, LaToya Shepherd of Galesburg, Tenisha (Greg) Brooks of Peoria and Danielle Shepherd-Jones of Galesburg; three grandchildren, Demetrius Turner, Nyesha Blakes and Coryion Jackson; one great grandchildren, Royalty Jackson; two aunts, Veronica Peoples of Galesburg and Diane Lewis of Las Vegas, Nevada; two uncles, William Lewis of Galesburg and James (Annie) Lewis of Minnesota; her special friends, Teresa Dickerson, Roberta Arnett and William “Sugarman” Hawthorne and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Walter Gordon, two brothers, Charles Sephus and Lamond Jones and one sister, Marsha LaViolette.
Julie was born and raised in Galesburg, graduating from Galesburg High School in 1980. She received her certified nurse’s assistant training from Carl Sandburg College and worked for the former Heartland Healthcare Center, now Allure of Knox County, for many years. Julie had a love for her residents that she cared for, treating them like her own family. In her downtime, when she wasn’t at work, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the Second Baptist Church. Julie will be remembered for her outgoing personality and her beautiful smile.
Visitation is scheduled for 2:00-3:00 pm Friday, April 14, 2023, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Services will begin at 3:00 pm at the chapel with Rev. Tyson Parks III officiating. Those unable to attend services may access the live stream via the funeral home website or the funeral home’s Facebook page. Family has requested casual dress in Julie’s favorite color of purple. Cremation will follow the services with a private family burial at a later date in Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
