Charles Benjamin "Coach" Smith

Charles Benjamin Smith June 17, 1937 - May 21, 2010 LUMPKIN, GA — Charles Benjamin "Coach" Smith, 72, of Lumpkin, GA passed away Friday, May 21, 2010 at Columbus Hospice House. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Lumpkin United Methodist Church with Reverend Grant Abernathy and Reverend Robert Orr officiating. The following will serve as active pallbearers: Jimmy Brazier, Gary Chestnut, Floyd Fort, William Futch, Mel Smith and Steve Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Frog Bottom Hunting Club. Interment will be in Mount Olive Cusseta Cemetery in Cusseta, Ga. The family will receive friends on Sunday, 1 - 2:30 p.m. at Lumpkin Methodist Fellowship Hall prior to the funeral service, according to Smith Funeral Home in Richland, GA. Mr. Smith was born June 17, 1937 in Chattahoochee County, GA, the third child of the late John Elby Smith, Jr. and Eva Mae Underwood Smith. He graduated from Cusseta High School in 1956. Mr. Smith graduated with an Associate Degree in Education from Georgia Southwestern College; and graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. Later, he earned a Master of Education from Georgia Southwestern College in 1975. While at Georgia Southern, he met and married the pretty redhead that caught his eye, Ava Owens, in 1960. In 1962, he began his career at Baker High School in Columbus teaching science and physical education while coaching football and basketball. Moving to Lumpkin, Mr. Smith served as Stewart County High School Athletic Director from 1966 - 1981. He coached basketball, baseball, tennis, track, and football. Mr. Smith attended the University of Georgia and received a Vocational Education certification. He was Stewart-Quitman High School Vocational Supervisor for 14 years until retirement in June of 1995. Mr. Smith was a lifelong member of the Georgia Association of Educators and Former president of the Steward County unit. Mr. Smith was an active member of the Lumpkin Lions Club for more than 40 years, serving several years as president. He served in Company "E" 560th Armored Engineer National Guard for 11 years. As a member of Lumpkin United Methodist Church for over 43 years, he was a Steward and on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. An avid fisherman, Mr. Smith was instrumental in organizing the area's first bass club: the Florence Bass Anglers in Stewart County. He also enjoyed hunting and belonged to the Frog Bottom Hunting Club. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his older brother, John Elby Smith, III. Survivors include his wife, Ava Owens Smith of Lumpkin, GA; sons, Charles Benjamin "Ben" (Ashley) Smith, Jr. of Seale, AL, and Kenneth "Ken" Owens (Melissa) Smith of Concord, GA; sister-in-law, Miriam Smith of Columbus, GA; sisters, Carolyn Smith of Phenix City, AL and Joann (Buddy) Galloway of Cusseta, GA; grandchildren, Benjamin and Georgia-Lee Smith of Seale, AL, Nicholas, Lauren and Kenleigh Smith, all of Concord, GA; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends. The family would like to thank the kind, considerate doctors and nurses at St. Francis ICU and Columbus Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Lumpkin United Methodist Church.