Smith is a former member of the AFRO-American Newspapers board of directors. He was the oldest great-grandson of AFRO founder John H. Murphy Sr.

The Baltimore native and Morgan State University graduate spent most of his career with Bell Atlantic Corp. and Verizon, and was an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Throughout the years, he served as a member of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce board, chairman of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse, vice chairman of the Baltimore City Planning Commission, The Baltimore City Social Services Commission and the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness.

At the time of this death, he was survived by: his sister, AME Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie; children, Qiana Jehan Murphy Smith, Jonee’ Murphy Coates Brown, Michelle Denise Howard and Blair Carl Murphy Smith; cousins, the Rev. Frances “Toni” Draper and Robert Murphy Matthews Sr.; other relatives; and friends.