Obituary for Leonard Samuel Smith III
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Meeting ID: 846 4016 5856
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Leonard Samuel Smith, “Smitty The Mighty Blazer”, was born to the late Mary Rosa Smith and Leonard McGill Smith in Washington, DC on December 22, 1946. He transitioned to his heavenly home on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Smitty attended D.C. Public Schools and graduated from Bell Vocational High School, where he majored in printing. His hobbies included playing basketball, dancing, and entertaining as a DJ at high school events. Smitty attended Federal City College, in Washington, DC, while pursuing a full-time position as a printer.
Smitty’s professional career evolved to a position as a Supervisory Computer Specialist with the Service Bureau Corporation, a division of the IBM Computer Corporation. During this time, Smitty began his entertainment career, pioneering the disco scene in DC, as a Disco DJ, “Smitty The Mighty Blazer.” He performed at local clubs, Bolling Air Force Base, and Andrews Air Force Base. He was contracted by DJ Bobby Bennett, The Mighty Burner at WOL radio station to entertain the Washington Redskins after each home game at Ed Murphy‘s Supper Club.
As a DJ, Dancer, Comedian, Actor, and all-around entertainer in the DC area, Smitty could regularly be seen at the Pitts Red Carpet Inn for 1st Tuesday Disco. Smitty was a founding member and President of The Light Buzz Social Club and held weekly Discos at St Mary’s Burgundy Room and the Masonic Temple, where Smitty hosted Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers as the house band.
In addition to the nightly and weekend events, Smitty, along with David Simms invited locals to the Mid-Day Party, held on Thursdays from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the Mark IV Supper Club. Other nightly venues included The French Underground, Black Crystal, The Room Disco, private parties, and special events. In order to respond to the demand for DJs, Smitty established the Super Disco Jocks, an organization of 11 professional DJs to handle the proliferation of requests for Disco Jockeys throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Smitty ventured into television production for the nationally syndicated television series, The Ebony Affair. He served as Assistant to the Producer, Choreographer, and Dancer for two years. Smitty also served as writer and producer for a half hour national television series Disco Comedy and Fun Time.
In addition to performing in the DMV area, Smitty also traveled to New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, California, Africa, and Asia. Smitty performed as an all-around entertainer incorporating a broad routine of comedy, dancing, and satirical sketches based on current events, songs, and popular celebrities.
In Chicago, Smitty performed for four months, at one of Chicago’s most popular night spots, The High Chaparral. Smitty included his original comedic personas as a part of his shows and presented Dr. Skunk Funk, Baby Rap, Funky Man, and Dr. Hip Hop.
In West Africa for seven weeks in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Smitty performed at the “Inn Club”, where he demonstrated and taught the patrons various dances. Because of his popularity, he taped a half-hour television special, “Get Down” featuring comedy routines and impersonations of James Brown and Stevie Wonder. Smitty also developed a one-hour radio program, “Soul Disco” that was broadcasted to eight African countries. Smitty also received the title, “Minister of Le’ Boogie”.
In Asia, Smitty performed nightly at the “Music Room” for a two-month stay at the Hilton International Singapore. Smitty was described as “a one-man entertainment machine”, as a dancer, singer, actor, impressionist, and comedian.
Smitty also included original dance routines that included, “The Zing”, “Race” in collaboration with A Taste of Honey, and “Shake Your Booty” in collaboration with K.C. and The Sunshine Band. In addition, Smitty also co-wrote the hit song, “Party Time is Any Time”, performed by the Fat Back Band. Smitty was invited to perform his comedic acts on tour with the Fat Back Band and the Average White Band in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Back in the States, Smitty was one of the actors in two movies directed and produced by Bruce Brown, “Divided City” and “24/7”. Smitty worked at Bay Street Night Club for 25 years hosting weekend dance parties, “Oldies Nights,” “Comedy Nights,” birthday parties, and holiday events.
Smitty was preceded in death by his parents: Mary Rosa (Lee) Smith and Leonard McGill Smith; his sister, Edwina Smith; and his loving dog “BG” Baby Girl Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory his sons: Michael E. Smith and Jason Ferrel; his grandsons: Michael J. Smith, Mikye E. Smith, Jacob Ferrel; former wife, Barbara Ann Smith, who remained a steadfast, loyal, devoted and loving friend until Smitty’s transition; sister, Shermal “Dina” Anderson; nephew, Dale F. Miller, Jr.; nieces: Gereese McCotter, Mary Nabinett, and Davette Rucker; his aunt, Lena Harrison, and cousins: Joyce Simpson, Janice Akintewe, Raymond Harrison, and Pat Harrison along with other family, friends, colleagues, and all the party people over the years. Smitty will be laid to rest on Monday, May 1, 2023, at
11 A.M. at National Harmony Memorial Park, 7101 Sheriff Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20784. Section: Garden of Tranquility, Sub-section: Brotherly Love, Lot: 407, Crypt: 4. All are welcome to attend.
OR
enter this ID and into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 846 4016 5856
Passcode: Smith
Leonard Samuel Smith, “Smitty The Mighty Blazer”, was born to the late Mary Rosa Smith and Leonard McGill Smith in Washington, DC on December 22, 1946. He transitioned to his heavenly home on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Smitty attended D.C. Public Schools and graduated from Bell Vocational High School, where he majored in printing. His hobbies included playing basketball, dancing, and entertaining as a DJ at high school events. Smitty attended Federal City College, in Washington, DC, while pursuing a full-time position as a printer.
Smitty’s professional career evolved to a position as a Supervisory Computer Specialist with the Service Bureau Corporation, a division of the IBM Computer Corporation. During this time, Smitty began his entertainment career, pioneering the disco scene in DC, as a Disco DJ, “Smitty The Mighty Blazer.” He performed at local clubs, Bolling Air Force Base, and Andrews Air Force Base. He was contracted by DJ Bobby Bennett, The Mighty Burner at WOL radio station to entertain the Washington Redskins after each home game at Ed Murphy‘s Supper Club.
As a DJ, Dancer, Comedian, Actor, and all-around entertainer in the DC area, Smitty could regularly be seen at the Pitts Red Carpet Inn for 1st Tuesday Disco. Smitty was a founding member and President of The Light Buzz Social Club and held weekly Discos at St Mary’s Burgundy Room and the Masonic Temple, where Smitty hosted Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers as the house band.
In addition to the nightly and weekend events, Smitty, along with David Simms invited locals to the Mid-Day Party, held on Thursdays from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the Mark IV Supper Club. Other nightly venues included The French Underground, Black Crystal, The Room Disco, private parties, and special events. In order to respond to the demand for DJs, Smitty established the Super Disco Jocks, an organization of 11 professional DJs to handle the proliferation of requests for Disco Jockeys throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Smitty ventured into television production for the nationally syndicated television series, The Ebony Affair. He served as Assistant to the Producer, Choreographer, and Dancer for two years. Smitty also served as writer and producer for a half hour national television series Disco Comedy and Fun Time.
In addition to performing in the DMV area, Smitty also traveled to New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, California, Africa, and Asia. Smitty performed as an all-around entertainer incorporating a broad routine of comedy, dancing, and satirical sketches based on current events, songs, and popular celebrities.
In Chicago, Smitty performed for four months, at one of Chicago’s most popular night spots, The High Chaparral. Smitty included his original comedic personas as a part of his shows and presented Dr. Skunk Funk, Baby Rap, Funky Man, and Dr. Hip Hop.
In West Africa for seven weeks in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Smitty performed at the “Inn Club”, where he demonstrated and taught the patrons various dances. Because of his popularity, he taped a half-hour television special, “Get Down” featuring comedy routines and impersonations of James Brown and Stevie Wonder. Smitty also developed a one-hour radio program, “Soul Disco” that was broadcasted to eight African countries. Smitty also received the title, “Minister of Le’ Boogie”.
In Asia, Smitty performed nightly at the “Music Room” for a two-month stay at the Hilton International Singapore. Smitty was described as “a one-man entertainment machine”, as a dancer, singer, actor, impressionist, and comedian.
Smitty also included original dance routines that included, “The Zing”, “Race” in collaboration with A Taste of Honey, and “Shake Your Booty” in collaboration with K.C. and The Sunshine Band. In addition, Smitty also co-wrote the hit song, “Party Time is Any Time”, performed by the Fat Back Band. Smitty was invited to perform his comedic acts on tour with the Fat Back Band and the Average White Band in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Back in the States, Smitty was one of the actors in two movies directed and produced by Bruce Brown, “Divided City” and “24/7”. Smitty worked at Bay Street Night Club for 25 years hosting weekend dance parties, “Oldies Nights,” “Comedy Nights,” birthday parties, and holiday events.
Smitty was preceded in death by his parents: Mary Rosa (Lee) Smith and Leonard McGill Smith; his sister, Edwina Smith; and his loving dog “BG” Baby Girl Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory his sons: Michael E. Smith and Jason Ferrel; his grandsons: Michael J. Smith, Mikye E. Smith, Jacob Ferrel; former wife, Barbara Ann Smith, who remained a steadfast, loyal, devoted and loving friend until Smitty’s transition; sister, Shermal “Dina” Anderson; nephew, Dale F. Miller, Jr.; nieces: Gereese McCotter, Mary Nabinett, and Davette Rucker; his aunt, Lena Harrison, and cousins: Joyce Simpson, Janice Akintewe, Raymond Harrison, and Pat Harrison along with other family, friends, colleagues, and all the party people over the years. Smitty will be laid to rest on Monday, May 1, 2023, at
11 A.M. at National Harmony Memorial Park, 7101 Sheriff Road, Hyattsville, Maryland 20784. Section: Garden of Tranquility, Sub-section: Brotherly Love, Lot: 407, Crypt: 4. All are welcome to attend.