Hebert Nathaniel Smith, Jr. was born, on April 20, 1948, to the late Margaret Ellen Jackson Smith and the late Herbert C. Smith, in Spartanburg, SC. He was a 1967 graduated of Lincoln High School. He continued his education at Spartanburg Technical College and received an associate's degree in welding. Herbert served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. He retired from General Electric Turbine Greenville after many years of dedicated service.

Herbert was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was a bass fisherman and had a dry sense of humor. He had a quiet and reserved disposition but loved meeting people. Herbert had a generous nature and was extremely giving. He was noted as being a sharp dresser and enjoyed spending time with his brothers. His favorite NFL team was the Philadelphia Eagles and favorite color was purple.

He was a dedicated member of the Kingdom Hall Spartanburg South congregation. He served on the hospitality liaison committee, regular pioneer, and was congregational Elder for over forty years.

He was preceded in death, along with his parents, by granddaughter, Jahonna S. Smith and siblings, William "Bam" D. Jackson, Marian Smith-Hart, and Jones Robert Smith.

He leaves a lifetime of love, memories and his legacy to his wife of fifty-three years, Mary Elizabeth Vinson Smith of the home; sons, Jonathan T. (Renea Howell) Smith of Spartanburg, SC and David T. Smith of Chicago, IL; daughter,  Monica T. Smith-Meadows of Spartanburg, SC; brothers, Billy Joe (Barbara) Smith of Inman, SC and Kevin A. (Wanda) Smith of Columbia, SC; sisters, Betty Patterson of Asheville, NC, Mary F Mallory of Spartanburg, SC, Rosetta Nesbitt of Spartanburg, SC, and Regetta "Jet" Fuller of Roebuck, SC; grandchildren, Kel'Sea Smith, Markell (Amber Pepper) Meadows, Hayden Jones, Jackson Smith, Kennedy Jones, and Kahmaijah Smith; great-grandchild, Aceyn Peppers-Meadows; best friends, Von Jefferson, Pharisee Hall, and John Sullivan; Vietnam partner, Ronnie Shields; and a host of other relatives and friends.

On the afternoon of Friday, October 4, 2024, Herbert transitioned at the Spartanburg Medical Center. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.