Rev. Ralph Edward Smith

Rev. Ralph Edward Smith, 88, of Gainesville, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at the Bell Minor Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Rev. Jon Smith and Dr. Zack Williams will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Born on September 3, 1935 in Hall County, he was the son of the late Royster Edward Smith and the late Mamie Dell Head Smith Ayers. He graduated from Lula High School where he enjoyed extra-curricular activities in Beta Club, Basketball, Baseball besides the odd jobs he had. Growing up in Lula, Ralph attended Lula Baptist Church. Shortly before he was married, he was baptized in a creek in Banks County, GA.

In college, he studied Bible and Theology at Toccoa Falls Bible College in Toccoa, GA; studied Pastoral Studies at Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, FL. 

Rev. Smith served his country proudly in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He received the Signal School Certificate, and also the citation from the Secretary of the Army, which read in part: “operations with great efficiency, without casualties”. He was a member of Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observation Group.

Once out of the Military he began his career as a long distance truck driver with 28,000 accident free miles for Crystal Farms in Gainesville. He received Security office of the Year while at Metropolitan International Security Company in Atlanta. He was pastor of two churches in FL and three in GA as well as holding associational offices in Okefenokee Baptist Association, Church Training Officer in Waycross, GA, Mallary Baptist Association, Pastors Conference President, Sylvester, GA and Chattahoochee Baptist Association, Church Training Director in Gainesville, GA.

In his free time his hobbies included coin collecting, wood crafts, building many “Log Cabin” bird houses shaping each log to fit. He also carved real-looking bears and other animals.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Smith was preceded in death by his stepfather, Ernest Ayers; sisters, Hazel Ayers Bell, Joann Ayers Turner and former wife, Evelyn Patterson Smith.

Rev. Smith is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Robertson Smith of Gainesville; sons and daughters in law, Dean and Donna Smith of Gainesville, Randy and Angela Smith of Lula, Brad and Rachel Smith of Eastanollee, Greg and Amy Smith of Gainesville; grandchildren, Stevie Smith (Kristan) of Cumming, Jon Smith (Emma) of Lula, Logan Smith (Jessica) of Flowery Branch, Spencer Smith (Molly) of Lawrenceville, Sean Smith of Menard, TX, Leah Hunter (Tony) of Blairsville, Katy Perdue (Nate) of Clermont, Kelsey Sergent (Jeremy) of Murrayville, Courtney Pulgarin (Daniel) of Menard, TX, Kellie Thurmond (Anthony) of Snyder, TX; 22 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and a number of other loving relatives.

In lieu of flowers, it is the family’s request that donations be made to Flat Creek Baptist Church, 5504 Flat Creek Rd., Gainesville, GA 30504, Air Line Baptist Church, 3368 White Sulphur Rd, Gainesville, GA 30507 or a charity of your choice.

Special Thanks to the residents and staff of Hamilton Place Personal Care, Bell Minor Care, Transitions Hospice and Pruitt Hospice.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com