Smith Funeral Home

Bryan Wesley Bell, age 54 of Bethlehem, GA, passed away on January 1, 2023. Bryan was a lifelong resident of Barrow County. He was a 1986 graduate of Winder Barrow High School and played on the Bulldog football team. Bryan was a Boy Scout, having earned the rank of Life Scout. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and continued serving his community as a Law Enforcement Officer in White County (Cleveland) and Habersham County (Baldwin). He also served as a Councilman for the City of Bethlehem and was a member of Bethlehem First United Methodist Church. When not working, Bryan enjoyed fishing and watching the Georgia Bulldogs. He loved his puppies: Molly, Holly, and Cabela; and his cat, Coco....

Kenneth Ray NeSmith Sr., 74, of Winder, passed away Saturday, November 5, 2022. A visitation will be held from 1:00PM until 2:00PM on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Smith Funeral Home in Winder. A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM in the Chapel of Smith Funeral Home. Mr. NeSmith was born in Statesboro, Georgia, on April 30, 1948 to the late Albert NeSmith and Bessie Mae Lee. He was a self-employed carpenter most of his life. Mr. NeSmith was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and loved his family and congregation dearly. He is survived by his wife, Frances NeSmith; three sons, Kenny Ray, Tommy Joe and George and their spouses Paula and Lara; four grandchildren,...

Michael Lee Carney, 69 of Winder, GA, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 2, 2022. Michael, known to most as "Mike", was born September 26,1953 in Fairmont, WV and moved to Elyria, OH as a child. He lived in the Elyria/Grafton area until recently, relocating to Georgia to be close to his grandchildren. Mike was a 1972 graduate of Midview High School in Grafton, Ohio. Mike made a career as a cold header operator working for various large scale production plants and he retired in 2018 from SFS Intec. His lifelong hobbies included a love of woodworking, crafting, and most of all camping. He was a member of Cuyahoga Falls Campers Club. He enjoyed the occasional ride on his 4-wheeler,...

Fred Hedges, beloved husband of Virginia Hedges, went home to be with the Lord on August 28, 2022. He was surrounded by family members. Fred was born in Atlanta, GA on June 13, 1925, to B. F. Hedges, Sr. and Rebie Barker Hedges. Fred is survived by his wife of 73 years, Virginia Korb Hedges. Fred and Virginia were blessed with eight loving children. His oldest son, Don, predeceased him in 2012. He is survived by daughter-in-law, Linda, of Snellville, GA, sons Bill and his wife, Becky, of Snellville, GA, Steve and his wife, Ginger, of Nashua, NH, and daughters, Mary & her husband, Kavin Smith, of Savannah, GA, Diane Draa of Auburn, GA, Laura and her husband, Tom Hipp, of Lilburn, GA,...

Fred Hedges, beloved husband of Virginia Hedges, went home to be with the Lord on August 28, 2022. He was surrounded by family members. Fred was born in Atlanta, GA on June 13, 1925, to B. F. Hedges, Sr. and Rebie Barker Hedges. Fred is survived by his wife of 73 years, Virginia Korb Hedges. Fred and Virginia were blessed with eight loving children. His oldest son, Don, predeceased him in 2012. He is survived by daughter-in-law, Linda, of Snellville, GA, sons Bill and his wife, Becky, of Snellville, GA, Steve and his wife, Ginger, of Nashua, NH, and daughters, Mary & her husband, Kavin Smith, of Savannah, GA, Diane Draa of Auburn, GA, Laura and her husband, Tom Hipp, of Lilburn, GA,...

Gloria Smith Pitts, age 79, passed away June 8, 2022. Gloria was the daughter of the late Marshall Duncan and Doris Hendrix Smith. Funeral services will be held Sunday June 12, 2022 at 3pm in the Smith Memory Chapel. Rev. Johnny Ray will officiate. Burial will follow at Barrow Memorial Gardens. Survivors include her husband David R Pitts; children; Eric Todd (Lori-Ann) Harber, Joel Lance (Christina) Harber, Dawn (Johnny) Ray, Karen (Glenn) Benedikt, Stephanie (Kevin) Addis; sisters; Carolyn Craft, Sandra (Jerry) Adams, Jacqui (Jim) Christensen; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Hope Lodge, call 1 800 227-2345 for instructions, or...

Dr. Ronnie E. Mobley of Oconee County, age 74, passed away on Saturday May 21st, 2022. Dr. Mobley was born on January 25, 1948 to the late Ruth Page Mobley and Aubrey Eugene Mobley. Dr. Mobley graduated from Oconee County High school in 1966, from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1971 and from The Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry in 1974. Dr. Mobley served his country as a member of the United States Army Reserves for many years where he achieved the rank of Captain. Dr. Mobley opened his family dental practice in Watkinsville, GA in 1977 and served his patients for over 40 years. He was a member of the Oconee Civitan Club and The Oconee High School...

Larry Wilson McCain, 75, son of the late Johnny Wilson and Mary Moore McCain, passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, at his home in Jackson County, surrounded by his family. Survivors include his wife Joan Pope McCain; one daughter Lari (Ben) Johnson; a stepson, Brian Hill; one sister, Vicky Weldon; two grandchildren, Ada Grace Johnson and Justin Wade Hill; and several nieces and nephews. Until his retirement in 2009, he was the owner of V and M Electric Co., which he co-founded with his partner, the late Bryan Verner. Larry's interests included hunting, fishing, gardening and cattle farming. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Cecil Weyman Dunahoo, Sr., age , passed away February 1, 2022. Mr. Dunahoo was a Korea War Vet and a faithful member of New Covenant Baptist Church and a proud member of CWA pioneer 35years. Funeral services will be held Saturday February 5, 2022 at 11am in the Smith Memory Chapel. Burial will follow at Barrow Memorial Gardens. Survivors include his wife; Delores Lites Dunahoo; children; Cecil W. Dunahoo, Jr., Stanley, Dave, and Don Dunahoo; 11 grandchilren. Smith Funeral Home, Winder, has charge of arrangements.

Sandra Ruth Plymail, affectionately called "Sandy" by her husband and "Grammy" by her grandchildren, passed away on January 13th, 2022. She was 77 years old. Born July 22nd, 1944 to Ernest and Hazel Jones Burel in Athens, GA, Sandy and her husband raised their own family not far away in Auburn where she lived the majority of her life. She was known to be very fashionable, with a love for travel, reading, movies and above all, spending time with her family and loved ones. She retired from the Gwinnett Health System in 2007 after almost 20 years of service in administration within Gwinnett Medical Education Dept. and Joan Glancy Rehabilitation. She is survived by her husband whom she...

Peggy Patricia Fields, 84 of Statham passed away Friday, January 7, 2022. She was a native of Statham and a graduate of Statham High School. Peggy was a member of Hebron Christian Church. She was a loving homemaker that loved gardening, crafts and especially the beach. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Choyce and Joyce Sims Holliday. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia "Cindy" Haddon of Watkinsville; three sisters: Shelby Grizzwald (Ron) of Bogart, Connie Daniel of Bogart and Vickie Cox of Statham; a granddaughter: Christina Pierce; two great grandchildren: Alexander and Calleigh Pierce; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm...

Annie Beth Barton, age 85, passed away on January 3, 2022. Mrs. Barton was the daughter of the late Willie and Allene Austin Payne. Mrs. Barton was the beloved wife of the late Willie Barton. She was preceded in death by her brothers: Bennie Elder Payne and Charles Milton Payne and step-mother Runette Butler Payne. Survivors include her children; Rhonda (Chris) Herring, Sheryl Stritt; brother; Ray Payne (Patricia); 5 grandchildren: Andrew Herring; Brett (Mikela) Herring; Sara Stritt; Stephen Stritt; and Will Stritt. Annie Beth was a professional homemaker and mother possessing a true servant's heart. She had a unique way of being able to love any child or animal. An honor graduate of...

William Leeon Pruett, 92, of Statham, passed away on December 23, 2021 after a battle with congestive heart failure and COPD. Leeon was born on April 29, 1929 to Chester and Pearl Pruett in Bethlehem. After graduating from Winder High School in 1945, he went on to study business at Athens Business School. After graduation, he soon landed a job as a driver for Gulf Oil, kicking off a career in the oil business that lasted well over a half century culminating in the creation of Pruett Oil Company. Leeon diversified his career by owning property around Barrow county and sitting on the board of two local banks. In 1934, in the first grade, he met Frances Smith at Bethlehem school, and they...

Elaine Cook Hardigree, "Cookie" to her friends and family, and "Nonnie" to her beloved grandchildren, passed away Dec. 14th, 2021 at the age of 82. Cookie was the daughter of the late JD and Zara Cook of Winder. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Clyde Hardigree; daughters: Melanie (Johnny) Wood and Scarlett (Stan) Mitchell; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and her sister, Beth Cook (Tim) Maranvillie. Cookie was a 1957 graduate of Winder Barrow High School. She received her secretarial certification in Athens, GA. She was a dedicated secretary for many years at Hutchins, Cox, and Stroud, The UGA Extension Service, Clemson University, The University of Georgia,...

Kenneth Lafayette Campbell, age 71, passed away on October 20, 2021. Mr. Campbell was the son of the late Kenneth and Jonnie Harper Campbell and was predeceased by his sister Karen. Ken was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, moved to Akron, Ohio and eventually settled in Winder, Georgia with his wife of 15 years, Mary. He loved his four daughters, one stepson, five siblings, three grandchildren, extended family and friends. He was a dedicated man of God offering worship through his singing. Ken was active in the church with the choir and children's ministries. Before retirement, he was self-employed traveling to eight southeastern states and made friends everywhere he went. He enjoyed...

Billie Sue Page, age 84, formerly of Winder, passed away Thursday, August 26, 2021 in Milledgeville, Ga. She was preceded in death by her husband William Albert "Billy" Page, Sr. and her daughter, Debra Elaine Fournier. Survivors include children; William Albert Page, Jr. (Glenda), Elizabeth Darlene Shackelford (Jim); 7 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. In her life she was known as, daughter, sister, friend, wife, momma and nanny. She was loved by all and will be greatly missed. Per Mrs. Page's request, the family will have no services.

Nancy Patricia Randolph Russell June 2, 1930-August 24, 2021 Nancy Patricia Randolph Russell was born on June 2, 1930, to Dr. William Tandy Randolph and Martha Evelyn Patrick Randolph in Winder, Georgia. She departed this earth on August 24, 2021, at the age of 91 years. Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Dr. Rivington H. Randolph, Dr. W. Quentin Randolph, and Lt. Col. John R. Randolph. Pat's childhood in rural Georgia involved riding in the car with her father and mother to deliver babies or visit sick patients, often down dirt roads in the country where she would entertain other children with games or candy while the patient(s) was being treated by her parents. ...

Nancy Patricia Randolph Russell June 2, 1930-August 24, 2021 Nancy Patricia Randolph Russell was born on June 2, 1930, to Dr. William Tandy Randolph and Martha Evelyn Patrick Randolph in Winder, Georgia. She departed this earth on August 24, 2021, at the age of 91 years. Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Dr. Rivington H. Randolph, Dr. W. Quentin Randolph, and Lt. Col. John R. Randolph. Pat's childhood in rural Georgia involved riding in the car with her father and mother to deliver babies or visit sick patients, often down dirt roads in the country where she would entertain other children with games or candy while the patient(s) was being treated by her parents. ...

Mary Elizabeth Waldrop, age 85, passed away on August 15, 2021. Mrs. Waldrop was the daughter of the late Harvey Russell Still and Janie Mae Garmon Harmon. Mrs. Waldrop was the widow of the late Wilburn Oneil Waldrop. Mary was a member of Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, Ga. and was retired from the finance department of Avon Products where she made many life long friends. Memorial services will be held Friday August 20, 2021 at 11:00am at Smith Memory Chapel. Rev. Matt Dibler will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10-11am prior to the service. Survivors include children; Terry (Myra) Waldrop of Auburn and Tim Waldrop of Winder; brother, Thomas Still, six grandchildren;...

Gatress Andrew Downs, Jr. of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2021 at the age of 79. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents Gatress Andrew Downs, Sr. and Genevieve George Downs and his sister Joan Marie Downs (Matt) Kukrall. Andrew is survived by his wife, Lane Parker Downs of Athens, formerly of Winder. He is also survived by a step-son Joshua (Anna) Brantley, step-daughter Morgan Brantley (Jason) Power, brother Donald (Elizabeth) Downs, and four grandchildren: Brantley Power, Grace Power, Parker Brantley, and Ella Brantley. Before moving to Winder, Mr. Downs lived and worked in Manhattan, New York. He was a graduate of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, VA,...

Gatress Andrew Downs, Jr. of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2021 at the age of 79. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents Gatress Andrew Downs, Sr. and Genevieve George Downs and his sister Joan Marie Downs (Matt) Kukrall. Andrew is survived by his wife, Lane Parker Downs of Athens, formerly of Winder. He is also survived by a step-son Joshua (Anna) Brantley, step-daughter Morgan Brantley (Jason) Power, brother Donald (Elizabeth) Downs, and four grandchildren: Brantley Power, Grace Power, Parker Brantley, and Ella Brantley. Before moving to Winder, Mr. Downs lived and worked in Manhattan, New York. He was a graduate of Princess Anne High School in Lynnhaven, VA, and the...