Grady Melvin Smith, age 83, of Tallulah Falls, Georgia, took his heavenly flight to be with the Lord surrounded by his family on Thursday, February 23, 2023, after several years of declining health.
Melvin was born January 23, 1940, and was the son of the late Grady James Smith and the late Annie Mae Shirley Smith. Melvin was a graduate of Tallulah Falls School in the Class of 1958. Melvin worked for the Georgia Power Company as a plant operator in the North Georgia Hydro Group and retired in 2003 after more than 42 years of faithful service. Melvin was a founding member of the Tallulah Falls, Georgia, Volunteer Fire Department in 1972 and served over 40 years in many roles, including Fire Chief and Chaplain. He was a dedicated recreation department baseball and football coach for many years in the 70s and 80s and was Coach of the Year in 1974. Melvin was a loving husband, dedicated father, and Papa to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Melvin loved to spend time camping and playing golf in his retirement years. He loved the Lord and was a member and deacon of the Shirley Grove Baptist Church, where he faithfully served for more than five decades.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother David Smith.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Sybil Shirley Smith of Tallulah Falls, Ga; son, Greg Smith of Lula, Ga; daughter and son-in-law, Joy & Billy Sullivan of Watkinsville, Ga; daughter and son-in-law, Jan & Jeff DeLay of Clarkesville, Ga; son and daughter-in-law, Ken & Enid Smith of Lula, Ga; son and daughter-in-law Matthew & Samantha Smith of Clarkesville, Ga; sister and brother-in-law, Ginger & Tim Harris of Mount Airy, Ga; grandchildren Melissa Smith, Kasey (Eric) Womble, Heather (Dane) Weeks, Ashley (Tyler) Reeves, Briana (Clayton) Stovall, Chandler Sullivan, Alicia (Ryan) Collier, Amber (Josh) Gilbert, Brandon Holcomb, Christian (Hannah) Holcomb, Seth (Brianna) DeLay, Kris (MaryBeth) DeLay, Adam (Peyton) DeLay, Jonathan (Nicole) Holtsmith, Alexandra (Felipe) Nunez, Analeigh (Logan) Warwick, Benjamin Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Mary Juliann Smith, Samuel Smith, Caleb Smith, Elijah Smith, Mercy Smith, Nolan Smith, and Sutton Smith; 23 great-grandchildren and counting; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Melvin’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the Shirley Grove Baptist Church, 771 Shirley Grove Road, Clarkesville, Ga, with the Rev. Bill Gravley & Rev. Austin Kelley officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, February 25, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
An online guest registry is available for the Smith family at www.HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of the Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens of Clarkesville, Georgia. 706-754-6256.
