Josephine Smiley Obituary

Josephine Dicks Smiley
AIKEN - Aiken, SC- Services for Mrs. Josephine Dicks Smiley, 91, will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 130 Independent Blvd., Aiken, SC 29803. Interment to follow in church cemetery. Public viewing will take place at Jackson-Brooks Funeral Home, Main Street, New Ellenton, SC, Friday, from 1 pm - 6 pm. A. A. Dicks Funeral Home-Sullivan Chapel, Columbia, SC (803) 254-4673, is in charge of these arrangements. Mrs. Smiley entered into rest July 8, 2023 in Aiken County, SC.
Mrs. Smiley was born in Aiken, SC to the late Farry Bell Bates Dicks and the late Samuel Dicks. Mrs. Smiley attended Storm Branch Academy and graduated from High School in the Adult Education Program. She was employed for thirty years at the Youth Development Center, Augusta, GA until her retirement. She was a faithful and lifetime member of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she organized the Gospel Chorus and was an active member of the same. Josephine organized the Storm Branch Association Alumni Academy. She loved music and played the piano for multiple churches throughout the CSRA. She had a successful recording career. She and her recording group were known as Josephine Dicks and the Inspires. She recorded numerous CDs under the Dela Joyce Label.
She is survived by her son, The Reverend Delbert L. (Joann) Nero; two sisters, Nazarene D. Morgan, and Leola N. Dicks, all of Aiken, SC; grandchildren, Shantel Nero, Cory (Anita) Green, Kelby (Kim) Nero, Keith (Tasha) Robinson, Sonyatte (Anthony) Watkins and Nashayne Streaty and a host of other relatives and friends.