Rev. Dr. J. Harold Smith

Rev. Dr. J. Harold Smith, age 86, of Blairsville, GA, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at his residence. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 24, at 11:30 AM, at the First United Methodist Church of Union County in Blairsville. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 until the service hour.

Dr. Smith was born October 6, 1939, in Flowery Branch, GA, to the late Jewell Bradley Smith and the late Bessie Duncan Smith. He was a 1957 graduate of Sugar Hill High School. He furthered his education at Rhinehardt College, earned a BBA degree from the University of Georgia in 1962, received a Master of Divinity from Emory University in 1965, and in 1983 received his Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary of the University of Chicago. Dr. Smith became an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1965. He began his career as a youth minister in Augusta at St. James UMC. His first assignment as a Sr. Minister was at First UMC in Warrenton. He later served St. Paul UMC in Marietta, Snellville United Methodist in Snellville, First UMC in Thomaston, and W. R. Cannon UMC in Snellville. Following his service as a Sr. Minister, he served the North GA Conference as a District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Roswell District and the Athens-Elberton District.

Following his career with the United Methodist Church, Dr. Smith retired to a place he had always loved - the North Georgia mountains. He spent his retirement in Blairsville adoring his family, especially his grandchildren. He and Janice traveled extensively while he was able, and he enthusiastically cheered on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs for the rest of his life.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Smith was preceded in death by a brother, MSGT Carl H. Smith, USAF Ret.; a sister, Mary Nell Smith Gower; and a niece, Karen Gower Phillips. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janice Moore Smith of Blairsville; two sons: Stephen Harold (Amelia) Smith of Macon; and Kevin Thomas (Amy) Smith of Baldwin; six grandchildren: Hadley Smith (Quinn) Roberts, Mallory Grace Smith, Elizabeth Elaine Smith, Brooks Thomas Smith, Bram Bradham, and Hollis Bradham; nieces and nephews: Kathy Gower (Wayne) Johnson, Michael (Robin) Gower, David (Donell) Gower, Carla Smith (Karl) Wynja, Susan Smith, Larry Moore, Elizabeth Selby Power, and Emily Selby Malott. Several great nieces and nephews also survive.

The Smith family wishes to recognize and sincerely thank all of the nurses, care givers, and other personnel of the Pruitt Health Hospice of Blue Ridge for their tireless care, compassion, and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church of Union County or to Pruitt Health Hospice of Blue Ridge, GA.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home of Blairsville, GA, in in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.cochranmcdaniel.com.