Bennie Smith of Clarkesville, Georgia died peacefully at the age of 87 on Thursday, September 16, 2021.
He was born on April 15, 1934, to parents Clarence and Bessie Mealor Smith of Banks County. His family knew him as a strong, kind, loving, and supportive father and grandfather. His knowledge and guidance was the foundation of his family. He spent most of his retirement camping and spending time on his boat. He was a great fisherman and spent a lot of his time doing what he loved. He was a wonderful papa to his grandchildren. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church for over 65 years, where he attended most every Sunday. He will be fondly remembered by his friends as “BJ.” He owned and operated BJ’s Supply Co. in Clarkesville for over 30 years. He was a member of the Mountaineer Shrine Club as well as a member of Clarkesville Masonic Lodge #325, F & AM.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60+ years, Kathleen Williams Smith, three sisters Meredith Pitman, Anna Ruth Touchton and Janna Maril Holland, and one brother, Fred Smith.
He was the loving father of two children, son and daughter-in-law Jimmy and Sue Smith of Demorest and daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Keith Spivey of Mt. Airy, a loving grandfather to three grandchildren, Kassy (Corey) Baird, Jared (Ivy) Smith, and Kody (Kayla) Ryles. He was also the best papa to his great-grandchildren, Connor, Annalyse, Easton, Kynlee, and Klaire. He had numerous cousins and one special niece.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, September 20, 2021, at Hillside Memorial Chapel with Rev. Austin Kelley officiating. Interment will follow the service in Hillside Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and prior to the service on Monday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Pallbearers will be Jared Smith, Kody Ryles, Corey Baird, Connor Wilson, and Easton Smith.
An online guestbook is available for the Smith family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Complete funeral arrangements will be announced by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
