Jerry Smart, Jr. was born on August 21, 1963, in Savannah, Georgia, to parents Jerry Smart, Sr. and Mary (Allen) Smart of Savannah, GA. He transitioned unexpectedly on August 27, 2021.
Jerry graduated from R.C. Lee High School and received his Associates of Science degree in Human Services from Gateway Community College. Jerry lived in New Haven and proudly called it home.
Jerry was incredibly passionate about his work and proud of all he had accomplished in the more than 20 years that he did community health work in New Haven. Jerry was the President of the PTO at Conte West Hills Magnet School for two terms. He was a research assistant at the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice at the Yale School of Medicine and the senior community health worker for the Transitions Clinic in New Haven. In that role, Jerry helped thousands of people through prison reentry to find their path.
Over the years he also built a state presence, serving on the Connecticut Community Health Worker Advisory Board, and a national presence as an educator of community health workers and health professionals all over this country — teaching courses, giving talks at major universities, and serving on the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Steering Committee.
Despite all of these accomplishments, Jerry was best known at work for his humility, steady dedication, fortitude, sense of humor, style and energy. He leaves behind a large work family at Yale who loved him dearly.
Jerry had a passion for all genres of music, loved to dance and was always the life of the party. He dressed to impress and had a contagious laugh. Jerry had a heart of gold. He was a leader and was passionate about helping others.
Jerry leaves to cherish his memory, four children: Jerry Smart III, Javon Smart, Jeremiah Smart and Zion Smart, one grandson: Jayden Smart, father: Jerry Smart, Sr., siblings: Janice Allen, Mary Louise Smart, Jacqueline Smart, Michael Smart (Elaine), and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Mary (Allen) Smart, his brother: Jermar Smart and his sister Stephanie Smart.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 09, 2021 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, followed by Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM at Trinity Temple Church of God, 285 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511. Interment will be Private. Service by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven. To leave a message of comfort for the family and to read the full obituary, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com.