Joseph Jacob Columbus, 91, retired Captain of the Memphis Fire Department, served 39 years, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2013, after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Laura Vick Gaines, brother, John Columbus, sisters, Martha Osborne and Margie Sullivan. Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 27 at Forest Hill Midtown with visitation from 12 to 2 p.m. Burial will be in Forest Hill Midtown Cemetery. He leaves behind his ''boy'''', William Gaines; daughter-in-law, Holley and favorite grandson, Joseph; his loving sister, Emma Jean Columbus Law; awesome nephews, Eddie, Joe and Russ Osborne, Doug, Barry and Rodney Phillips, John Columbus Jr. and Carol Columbus Walsh, Danny and Tim Sullivan and several great-nieces and nephews. ''Smokey Joe'''' was a graduate of South Side High School Scrappers, Class of 1940, where he was a member of the football team. He was a Christian, an avid golfer, lifelong member of Bevico Country Club and deeply loved by all that knew him! Please forward any Memorials to the Wings Foundation with The West Clinic in Southaven, MS.

Forest Hill Funeral Home Midtown (901)775-0310