James Edward Smith, Jr.

Mr. James Edward “Jimmy” Smith, Jr., age 65, of 155 Laurel Circle, Lavonia, Georgia, passed away Friday, May 29, 2015 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

A son of the late James E. Smith, Sr. and Edna Merck Smith Holland, he was born December 8, 1949 in Stephens County and lived in Hall County for a number of years, and in Franklin County for the past 12 years.  He retired from the Georgia Forestry Commission, having served as District Ranger in Northeast Georgia.  Mr. Smith was also an instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy teaching public safety throughout the state in NIMS.  He was also a mandated Peace Officer in the state of Georgia, and was a State Fire Investigator.  Mr. Smith was a recipient of the Robert E. Browning, Jr. Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in the area of Forest Fire Prevention in Region 8 (Southeastern United States.) He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Toccoa and the Grace Sunday School Class.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Sheriff Smith of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Deidra and Matt Moore of Homer, GA; a son and daughter-in-law, James E. Smith, III and Sharon of Summerville, SC; two grandsons, Garrett Smith and Grant Smith; a sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Terry McDaniel of Daytona Beach, Florida; his mother-in-law, Morene Sheriff of Eastanollee.