James Helm "Jimmy" Smith

James Helm "Jimmy" Smith -FORT VALLEY - James Helm "Jimmy" Smith of Fort Valley passed away Monday, December 29,2008 at The Oaks Nursing Home in Marshallville. -Services will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 11 A.M., Fort Valley United Methodist Church with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. -Born on October 24, 1930, in Sasser, Georgia, to the late Harvey Frank Smith and Johnnie Belle Cranford Smith, Jimmy was a graduate of the University of Georgia in Athens. He later attended graduate school at Florida State University, where he earned a Master of Library Science degree. He began his library career working at the Georgia State Archives in Atlanta. He then served on the staff of the public libraries in Tifton and Albany before moving to Fort Valley. He served as Director of the Thomas Public Library from 1974 to 1988. He worked at the Brunswick, Georgia library system before retiring and returning to Fort Valley to live. -In June of 1978, Jimmy wed Joyce Beeland Mullis of Fort Valley. She preceded him in death on November 21, 1986. -He is survived by two brothers, H. Frank Smith of Atlanta and Dr. Robert Smith of Waycross; stepdaughters Regilynn Williams (Jim) of Waco, TX,and Holly Posey (Scott) of Reynolds; stepsons Matt Mullis (Donna) of Fort Valley and Jim Mullis (Pam) of Columbus, MS; he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as six grandchildren and one greatgrandchild who all adored their "Pa Jimmy". -The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Rooks Funeral Home in Fort Valley. -Memorials may be made to the Thomas Public Library, 315 MLK Jr. Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030 -Rooks Funeral Home in Fort Valley is in charge of arrangements.