Harkles Melvin Smith, Sr.

It is with deep sorrow and love that we mourn the passing of Harkles Melvin Smith Sr., of Chester
Pennsylvania on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the age of (58). He was born on June 14, 1964, to Caroline
Smith and the late Ralph Kaufman. He attended school in Penns Grove, New Jersey, and was a member
of the Penns Grove High School Red Devils wrestling team. He enjoyed it so much that he would use his
moves on his family and friends.
Harkles, better known as Hark, Fish, Mellon, and Melvin to others demonstrated his life by being a loving
person who valued his family and friends. He was a non-judgmental person regardless of the situation.
He was genuine and pure. Hark had an infectious laugh that could be heard from any room. Hark loved
playing a good game of Poker, Tunk, or Deuces. He was usually always the first one to get a good game
started.
Harkles loved helping others and cared about making sure he was able to assist anyone in need.
Whenever you wanted to get rid of anything he would say, "Shoot, let me get that because I'm sure I
can find someone that can use it". For many years he volunteered to donate Plasma at the CSL Plasma
Building.
Hark was a true jokester. The kids remembered their father as always being the life of the party. If
someone said they were a certain age, he would always say he was a year younger than them. His sister
Vicky remembers when he would call you attempting to disguise his voice to be someone else "This is
Lucky House your shrimp fried rice is ready."
He enjoyed spending quality time with his children and grandchildren racing them up and down the
street, taking them to the park, playing video games, and feeding the ducks.
The love that Harkles had for his mother Caroline Smith was amazing. They had such a wonderful bond,
and you can say that was his favorite girl. He would wake up early on Saturday mornings and call her just
to hear her beautiful voice and have a few laughs.
He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Kaufman and sister Letitia Jackson
Harkles is survived by his seven children who he loved dearly: Tiffany Smith (Correll Meades) of Newark,
Delaware, Stephanie Brown (Manny Coleman) of Henrico, Virginia, Harkles Smith Jr of New Castle
Delaware, Amber Smith of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, Katri Smith of Camden New Jersey, Meleena Smith
and Melvin Harkles Smith both of Chester Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren; Kayla Smith, Jacier Smith-
Nash, Lauren Coleman, Carson Coleman, Christian Smith, Harper Smith, Brianna Smith, and Correll
Meades Jr.; seven sisters, Victoria Douglas of Newark, Delaware, Ruth Roy (William), Penns Grove New
Jersey, Beth Smith of Wilmington, DE, Francine Smith New Castle, DE, Hope Smith of Wilmington
Delaware, Crystal Kaufman-Miller of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and Sandra Sweeper of Chester
Pennsylvania.; three brothers: Mark Kaufman of Newark, Delaware, Reed Johnson of Chester,
Pennsylvania and Ralph Kaufman Jr: One brother in law Kevin Jackson of Salem New Jersey; Loving and
devoted friend Theresa Turner of Chester Pennsylvania; best friend James Bundy of Penns Grove New
Jersey and a host of nieces, nephews cousins, other relatives, and friends. Previous Events


Public Viewing


OCT 21. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (ET)

House of Wright Mortuary - Wilmington
208 East 35th Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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Celebration of Life


OCT 21. 12:00 PM (ET)

House of Wright Mortuary - Wilmington
208 East 35th Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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