Mr. James Robert "Smitty" Smith

STATESBORO, Ga. -- Mr. James Robert ""Smitty"" Smith, age 88, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at his home under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice, surrounded by his family. The native and lifelong resident of Bulloch County was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. Mr. Smith retired from the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service, Georgia Southern University with 21 years of service and Approved Service Company, working with Dr. Jim Orr, with 15 years of service. He was a ham radio operator since 1964.
Smitty loved playing his fiddle with his brothers, the Pea Pickers and the Friendship Bluegrass Gospel Group. He loved his church, his family and his little dog, Ginger.
Smitty was preceded in death by a son, Randy Smith; his parents, Robert and Annie Lee Donaldson Smith; and two brothers, Waldo and Billy Smith.
Surviving are his loving wife of 60 years, Omie Lee Williams Smith; a daughter, Wanda Rushing; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Mary Smith and Danny Paul and Lyn Smith; eight grandchildren, Tina Free, Melissa Smith, Trisha Lueck, Michelle Brigdon, Danielle Connor, Christopher Smith, Dylan Rushing and Jordan Rushing; 13 great-grandchildren and two brothers and sisters-in-law, the Rev. Harold Smith and Jimmie Lou of Nevils and Arnold Smith and Maryann of Columbus. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with Dr. H. William Perry officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Gary Donaldson, Jordan Rushing, Dylan Rushing, Chris Smith, Gerald Smith and Hal Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Friendship Baptist Church, Friendship Bluegrass Country Gospel Group, Dr. Andrew Cichelli and Stacy Basquin, PA and Donald Donaldson.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, February 3, 2016
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