Just Folks: John Smith
John Smith of Vian gets poked about his name a lot he says, but friends who know him well say he is a “likable guy” who is as common as his name.
Just Folks
John Smith of Vian gets poked about his name a lot he says, but friends who know him well say he is a “likable guy” who is as common as his name.
Smith, 40, works as a closing manager for Harps Grocery store in Vian. He worked at the store, formerly known as Marvin’s IGA when he was in his teens.
“I sacked groceries and stocked them and anything else they needed me to do,” Smith said. As one of the managers, Smith has worked for Harps for the past year after the store changed owners, he said.
“I enjoy my job. I like the store and the people I work with. I’ve always lived in the Vian area. I grew up here and graduated from Vian High School in 2001,” he said.
“I get to see a lot of people I know here. I think that’s the best part about living here, are the people. I know just about everyone who comes here,” Smith said.
Smith said when the weather turned bad this past week with extreme cold temperatures and layers of ice on roads, people began coming in droves to the store to stock up on groceries which kept everyone working at the store busy.
“I think around here when people hear the word, ‘snow,’ it scares them so they rush to the store to get milk, bread and eggs or any other groceries they may need. Even with the price of eggs being sky high, it doesn’t keep them from buying them,” he said.
Smith said the store nearly ran out of bread this past week and delivery trucks were not expected to bring more until Friday or the weekend.
Smith works at the store five days a week mostly during the evening hours since he has to close. During his days off, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 14 years, Ashley, and their two daughters, Nahla, who is 11 and Malea, nine.
“We enjoy going to our daughter, Nahla’s basketball games, and any other school activities they both may have. We also enjoy cooking out and just spending time together,” he said. Smith said he also enjoys spending time in the outdoors which consists of camping and any other outdoor activities when he gets the time.
Being Cherokee, Smith said he enjoys remaining close to his culture and has been to the Redbird Smith stomp grounds.
“I tell my wife I’m enough Cherokee to get a card,” he said, laughing.
“There are a lot of Smiths around this community but my family actually originated from Florida,” he said.
Smith said he was actually named after his father, John Smith Sr.
“I’m actually John Smith Jr. but I just go by John Smith,” he said. “Being named after my father doesn’t stop people from making jokes about my name. Believe me, I’ve heard all the Pocahontas jokes from everyone around here.”
Just Folks. Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.
