Garnett Lynn Farley Smith

Garnett Lynn Farley Smith was born at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia on March 13, 1952. She was the first born child to Baba and HP Farley. They moved to Gainesville when she was young, where Garnett grew up. She and her first true love, Donald Winfred Smith (Donny), raised their three beautiful daughters, Natalie, Anna-Kate and Fran there.

Garnett started her church life at a young age and was in the choir at the First Baptist Church of Atlanta. She then grew up in The First Baptist Church of Gainesville where she accepted Christ at age 8.

She was a proud Red Elephant at Gainesville high school where she was on the basketball team and captain of the football Cheerleading squad. She was also a part of a local singing group, The Windstrummers.

Garnett went to the Gainesville Junior College-now known as The University of North Georgia  for a year, went to West Georgia College (with Donny) for a year, then graduated from The University of Georgia in June of 1975. She then married Donny in October of the same year.

She was all things sports and athletic from the beginning. She worked as a lifeguard at Green Street Pool all through high school where she also taught swimming lessons. She worked as a P.E teacher in Gainesville City Schools after college and continued to teach swimming lessons in the summer. She probably taught at least half of the kids in Gainesville how to swim.

As her children were growing up, she coached their teams, was involved in all their school activities, was Booster Club president and of course attended all of their activities. When they were in middle school, she opened The Trophy Case Ltd. that she owned and operated for many years.

After Baba and HP died, Garnett became her brother Tice’s guardian. She attended all his meetings and brought him to her house on Sundays and for family activities. Being an active part of his life was important to her and to her children, grandchildren and her sons-in- law.

Garnett took golf up at age 50 and was an avid golfer. She came a long way from the 10 year old who once got mad playing putt-putt at Vogel State Park and threw her golf club down on the families annual vacation during the 4th of July. In her later years her passion and favorite pastime was attending the many activities/ballgames of her grandchildren.

2020 marked 45 years of marriage for Garnett and Donny and for the past 14 years they have been helping to raise their 7 amazing grandchildren. They also established roots in Sarasota and traveled to wineries and golf courses all over the country.  They traveled when they were not in Gainesville participating in family activities.

Through the years Garnett was a good friend to many people. She was a good sister, wife, mother and cousin. She was beautiful, funny, loving, private and stubborn. GG had a wonderful life with Big Dad. It is hard to find words to say how much she will be missed by everyone whose life she was a part of.

Garnett is survived by her husband, Donald W. Smith (Donny), Gainesville; daughters; Natalie McGarvey (John), Anna Kate Williams (John Michael), Fran McCain (Justin), grandchildren; Smith McGarvey, Prentice McGarvey, Cape McGarvey, Selleck McCain, Warner McCain, H.P. Williams, Ridge Williams; brother, Jeff Farley (Hedy), sister, Robbye Puckett (Mike).

Garnett is preceded in death by her parents, H.P. and Baba Farley and her brother, Tice Farley.

The family would like to acknowledge and give a special thank you to Dr. William S. Jonas, Dr. Adam Nowlan, Dr. Ralitza Martin, Dr. Jeff Terry, and NGMC Hospice. Also a special thanks to Raymer Wilson for all of her love and support to Garnett and family during the this difficult time.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Memorial Park Cemetery.  Dr. Bill Coates and Barney Williams will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions please be made to We Care Foundation, c/o Northeast Georgia Community Foundation, 615 Oak Street Suite 1300, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 or St. Jude Children's Hospital,  262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

The stateroom will be open at Little & Davenport Funeral Home Friday April 30, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. for those friends that would like to come by and sign the register book.  Those that cannot come by and sign the register, may send online condolences to the family at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.