Marco Leonadas "Peco" Smith, Sr., 45, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Putnam Community Medical Center, Palatka. A native and lifelong resident of Palatka, he was the son of Johnny and Dothea (Hardy) Smith, born on Tuesday, June 26, 1973. He was educated in the Putnam County School District and a 1991 graduate of Palatka High School. In his early years, he was a member of Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church. He was a former Tissue Converting paper machine operator at Georgia-Pacific. Marco, affectionately known as "Polo" by his friends, was a master griller. He enjoyed grilling for family and friends during cookouts and also participated in numerous grilling competitions. He was famous for his finger-licking ribs, chicken, and shish kabobs. He also enjoyed fishing, motorcycling, raising pit bulls, collecting and restoring antique cars, and listening to "old school" music.

In addition to his devoted mother, he was preceded in eternal rest by his paternal grandparents, Johnny Smith, Sr., and Ruth Smith; maternal grandparents, Lillian Hardy Brown, Charles Hardy, and Willie Mae Wiggs; aunts & uncles, Eugene and Thelma Pinder, Ulysses Wiggs, Maggie Ruth Davis, Deacon Thomas and Annie B. Hutcherson, Charles Green, Elijah Wiggs.

He leaves to cherish his memories: son, Marco (DiShara) Smith, II; daughter, Macari Smith; 4 grandchildren, Derek Hill, Marco, III, DeMarion, and MaKaila Smith; father, Johnny Smith, all of Palatka; sister, Angelita D. (Reno) Fells, San Mateo; A host of aunts & uncles, including devoted aunt and uncle, Kip (David) Calhoun, Palatka; Sally Green, Miami; Alfred (Sue) Wiggs, Las Vegas, NV; Queen Esther Wiggs, Southern Pines, NC; Marta Wiggs, Santa Ana, CA; Inez Wiggs, Compton, CA; mother of his children, Thura Smith, East Palatka; devoted neighbor, Eldress Mary Palmer, Palatka; and a host of other caring relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, September 22 with a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity," Reverend Karl N. Flagg, Senior Pastor, Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church, officiating.