Hon. Russell William "Rusty" Smith

The Honorable Russell William Russell “Rusty” Smith                      Tallulah Falls, Georgia

The Honorable Russell William “Rusty” Smith, Chief Superior Court Judge of the Mountain Judicial Circuit, passed away on January 28th, 2025. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 3rd, 1963. He graduated from Milton High School, Valdosta State University, and received his Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law in 1989. He was a partner at Sanders, Smith, and Ranck from 1993-2010. He was the Stephens County Attorney from 2002-2007. He was appointed Judge of Superior Court, Mountain Judicial Circuit by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2010 and served in that position until his passing. He established and continued to preside over the Accountability Court programs in the Mountain Judicial Circuit.

Russell Smith was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Barbara Smith and his sister Jennifer Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary Williams Smith, his daughter, Maggie Smith (Fiancé – Justin Cline), and son Benjamin Smith; Sister Karolyn (Jeff) Gossett, Brother Clif (Danielle) Smith; Nieces, Jennifer (Christian) Lee, Rachel (Joshua) Hamilton, Kaden Kardell, Colette Kardell, Chloe Kardell; Nephews Adam (Alexandra) Gossett, Reese Gossett, Carter Kardell; Uncle Bill (Sara) Carter, Uncle Lindsey (Judy) Smith.

Services are planned for Saturday February 1, 2025, at St. Matthias Episcopal church. The visitation is from 12:00-3:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts to Habersham County Accountability Courts, 130 Jacobs Way, Suite 302, Clarkesville GA 30523. This fund supports the drug and mental health courts for the Mountain Judicial Circuit.

Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements for The Honorable Russell William “Rusty” Smith.