Elmer Eugene Smith, Sr.

Mr. Elmer Eugene “Coonie” Smith Sr., age 81, of 433 Riddleville Road in Sandersville died Saturday morning, May 7, 2011, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday May 9th in the Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church in Sandersville with burial in Washington County Memorial Gardens. The Rev. L.T. Logue, Rev. Phil Bray and Rev. Wade Dawson will officiate. Pallbearers will be Scott Moore, Ashley Moore, Michael Smith, Stanton Temples, Marc Temples and Danny Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church and the Sandersville Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Smith was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County. He was the last of seven children born to Walter Eugene Smith and Gertrude Boyd Smith. He was a retired insurance salesperson and a former school bus driver for the Washington County Board of Education. Mr. Smith served with the Sandersville Volunteer Fire Department for over twenty five years and was a former member of the Georgia National Guard. He was a member and Deacon of the Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church.

Survivors are his wife, Lila Burns Smith of Sandersville, a daughter, Teresa Smith Moore and her husband Scott of Tennille, a son, Gene Smith and his wife Susan of Athens, three grandchildren, Charles Ashley Moore, Lisa Smith Temples, and Michael Smith, five great grandchildren, Sage Moore, Azalea Moore, Stanton Temples, Bailey Temples and Nathan Temples.

The family will receive friends at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday.

The family suggests donations be made to the Ridgeland Heights Baptist Church Bus Ministry, P.O. Box 31, Sandersville, Georgia 31082.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.