Tallulah Falls is mourning the loss of a dedicated community leader. Melvin Smith was a founding member of the Tallulah Falls Volunteer Fire Department. He served with the department from its beginning days in 1972 until the mid-2000s. During his 40 years with the department, Smith served in many roles, including as fire chief and chaplain.
Melvin Smith passed away on Thursday, February 23. He was 83.
Tallulah Falls Mayor Mike Early issued a statement relaying “with great sadness” the news of Smith’s death. He called him “a very valuable member of our community” who served the town of Tallulah Falls in various capacities “with honor and integrity.”
Mayor Early recognized Smith’s vital role in establishing the town’s volunteer fire department. He says Smith never asked for anything in return.
“His sacrifice for his community cannot be understated, and nearly every person from Hollywood to Wiley has Melvin to thank, in some way, for the avoidance of disaster in their lives,” Early says.
Life of service
Smith graduated from Tallulah Falls School in 1958. He went on to build a 42-year career with Georgia Power, serving as a plant operator in the North Georgia Hydro Group. He retired from his job in 2003.
In addition to his volunteer fire service, Smith is remembered as a dedicated recreation department baseball and football coach. He worked with young people in the 70s and 80s and was named Coach of the Year in 1974.
Mayor Early expressed condolences to Smith’s family on behalf of the town of Tallulah Falls.
“We all grieve with his family for their loss, and hold all of them in the light as they find balance between joy of his reunion with his savior with the loss of his presence here on earth.”
Smith will be buried on Sunday, February 26, at Shirley Grove Baptist Church in Clarkesville. His celebration of life service begins at 4 p.m. at the church at 771 Shirley Grove Road.
The family will receive friends at Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens in Clarkesville from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 25.
Smith is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sybil Shirley Smith, and their five children.
