Jones Wilbert Smith was born on January 15, 1927 to Luther and Eula Smith of Deep Run, North Carolina. He has three sisters, Essie Herring, Edna Noble and Katherine.Smith. He graduated from Deep Run High School and entered service on March 26, 1945.

.He served his country from 1945 to 1947 in the United States Army. He entered at Fort Bragg, NC, then to Camp Wheeler, Georgia, Fort Lawton, Washington and on to Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1947. His awards include the Good Conduct Medal.

When he returned from service he married Hazel Riggs and they had four sons, Brenton, J. W. Jr., Nelson and Gary. He farmed in the Deep Run community until his retirement