On August 20, 1961, the world was rewarded with the birth of a little boy named Alphonza. His parents were Vivian Woolfork Smith and the late Alphonza Smith Sr. They lived in Newark, NJ where they raised Al Jr. for three years before moving South to Alabama and Georgia.  Alphonza's schooling began at Saint Joseph Catholic School in Tuskegee, AL in 1967 and ended in 1981 after two semesters at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA.  In between those years he attended the Peabody School, Boddie Jr. High and Baldwin High School in Milledgeville, GA.
 
Alphonza joined Trinity C.M.E. Church at an early age.  He entered the U. S. Army and promptly discovered he was not suited for it. Returning home in 1982, he became a father to a beautiful baby girl, Latoya, with whom he maintained a bond until his demise.  He worked at several different jobs throughout his life, including such employers as Southside Equipment Co., Chaplinwood Nursing Home Center and Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Ga as well as self-employment in construction and personal services.

Alphonza was known by many as “Big Al” due to his attaining his towering stature of 6'4'' as a pre-teen.  He was a gentle giant and a very funny and fun-loving individual.  He had a dependent and unbreakable bond with his mother, Vivian, and his sister, Cherilyn.  He was always respectful of his elders as well as loyal and generous to his associates.  He lived life in the fast lane without a seatbelt and lived his life his way!  His favorite quote was “Git in where ya fit in!” which was his philosophy of life.  He was stricken with a sudden illness which slowed him down but did not stop his love of the outdoors. You could find him most days relaxing in the sun on the front porch bench with his pet Kitty in tow by his side.  Our beloved Junior transitioned at Atrium Navicent Medical Center in Macon, GA, on Friday, October 11, 2024, with his sister, his daughter and his grandsons by his side.  

Leaving to cherish his memory is his loving daughter, Latoya Warner-Woods (Shaun Woods) and two grandsons, Mekhi and Jakobi Woods, all of Hampton, Ga.; mother, Vivian Woolfork Smith of Milledgeville, GA; sisters, Cherilyn Smith Zellner  (Lewis Zellner) of Wrightsville, GA, and Alvetta Smith of Dayton, OH; aunts, Creola Matthews of Marietta, GA and Delia Woolfork Taylor (John Taylor) of Fort Valley, GA; nieces, Jada V. Zellner of Marietta, GA, Kalyn D. Zellner of Byron, GA, Helen K. Zellner of Savannah, GA, and Piper N. Zellner of Statesboro, GA; nephew, Smith C.L. Zellner of Wrightsville, GA; several cousins and friends, including special cousin/caregiver, Joseph Jones of Milledgeville, GA; along with lifelong friends, Donald Harper and Harold Jimerson, both of Milledgeville, GA.