John B. Smith Sr. publisher of The Atlanta Inquirer, died on Thursday, April 27, in Atlanta.
Smith was a respected, strong, effective, compassionate and courageous leader of the Black press in America for decades.
Smith grew up in LaGrange, Georgia, and attended Morehouse College and Atlanta University. He served in the U.S. Army and taught mathematics for 31 years in the Atlanta Public School System.
Smith also was also a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association where he served as chair from 2005-2009.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances, his daughter, Lori Smith, son, John B. (Angela) Smith, Jr., five grandchildren, Camryn Alyce Bragg, John Bradford Smith, Alexandra Brooke Smith, Chase A. Blackwell and Kyndall Peyton Smith; his brother, Robert L. Smith, and sister, Sarah Alexander.
