Harry SMITH Jr.

Family-Placed Death Notice

SMITH, Harry, Jr. Harry Brown Smith Jr. Born Oct. 25, 1926 - Hazelhurst, GA Died Oct. 21, 2012 in Atlanta, GA A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 25, at the First United Methodist Church, Marietta, with Rev. Dr. Sam Matthews and Rev. Dr. Charles A. Sineath officiating. Harry Brown Smith Jr. took great pride in being a cornerstone of his family and community. Born on October 25, 1926 in Hazelhurst, Georgia, Harry graduated from Hazelhurst High School in 1944 and served in the United States Army for two years. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949 with a double major in Economics and Marketing. Three days after his graduation, he and Ruth Jeannine Haley of Atlanta were married. Throughout 62 years of marriage, Harry and Jeannine raised 5 children: Harry Brown Smith III and wife Teri of Marietta, Lynda Smith McCroan McFall and husband Rich of Marietta, Cheryl Smith Cagle and husband Jim of Marietta, Karen Smith Long and husband Bud of Canton and Diane Smith Johnson (Mark Johnson Sr.). And "Papa" will be immortalized through the stories told by his thirteen grandchildren: Harry Brown Smith IV, Derek Lee Smith, Clinton Brock Smith, Michael Ryan McCroan, Alexandria Harley McFall, Haley Cagle Watkins, Christian Colquitt Cagle, Lindsey Johnson Toledo, Mark Joseph Johnson Jr., David Alexander Johnson, Mathew Todd Johnson, Wesleigh Jeannine John-son, and Hannah Naomi Johnson; his three great grandchildren: Jarrett James Watkins, Carys Lee Watkins, and Liam Flass Johnson, as well as many nieces and nephews. Harry is survived by four of his six sisters, Mildred Smith Duncan of Canton, Ann Smith Miller and husband Jimmy of Ellijay, Margaret Smith Panter and Jim of Atlanta and Patsy Smith Cunningham of Canton, who will always remember the boy who somehow survived growing up surrounded by six girls. When he arrived in heaven, his youngest daughter, Diane, no doubt welcomed him with open arms. When it came to living a life built on hard work, respect and tradition, Harry did not stop at his family. He worked for Procter & Gamble for 33 ½ years and retired as a manager in 1983. After his retirement from P&G, he worked with his wife in a family owned real estate business until he was 83 years old. His community also felt the reach of his enthusiasm. A loyal member of the First United Methodist Church since 1977, he gave many years of service as the President of the Jack Aaron Sunday School Class. He was also a faithful member of the original Marietta Rotary Club, where he had 25 years of perfect attendance. A Paul Harris Fellow, he received the Rotarian of the Year award in 1996 and 1997. Though Harry knew the value of hard work, he appreciated the worth of play. Up until the day he passed away on October 21, 2012, he was an avid University of Georgia football fan and rarely missed a game. One of his favorite things to do on a weekend was to take his children and grandchildren to watch a football game; to get up for an early tee time; or to watch one of his grandchildren play any number of sports. He also had a mischievous sense of humor when the mood struck him, as his children and grandchildren, who were often the recipients of his practical jokes, can attest. Harry/Daddy/Papa will be missed greatly. His family will always remember to do good work, never give up, and to give thanks for their blessings. "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived" General George Smith Patton, Jr. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made in his memory to the Calvary Children Home, 1430 Lost Mountain Rd, Powder Springs, GA, 30127; and the Mountain Top Boys Home, 65 Mountain Top Way, Sugar Valley, GA 30746. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 24, at the funeral home. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory, Marietta. www.mayeswarddobbins.com