Otis M Smith, Jr.

Mr. Otis M. Smith Jr., age 93, of Evergreen Drive, Sandersville, died peacefully at his home Friday, November 19, 2021.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held Monday, November 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Sandersville, Georgia with burial in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.  Reverend Lee Lacey, Reverend Alan Smith and Reverend Wes Smith will officiate.  Pallbearers will be Tim Werkin, Randy Mayberry, Bill Garner, Tom Duggan, Wayne Norris and David Evans.

Mr. Smith was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County.  He was the son of the late Otis Weaver Smith and the late Bessie Claude Brantley Smith.  He was reared in Tennille, completed school, and began his working career with his first job at Murphy Grocery Store.  Otis was a faithful Thiele Kaolin Company employee for 45 years where he retired as safety director.  He was a longtime and active member of First Baptist Church of Sandersville where he served as a church deacon.  Early in life, Otis loved playing baseball and was privileged to play two years of Class D baseball.  Music was a large part of Otis' life.  He was a member of the Dixie Kats Dance Band for over 30 years playing in venues throughout Georgia and beyond.  He was often a fixture on a piano stool entertaining friends and family in a home, a country club, or a church.  Otis was active in his community in numerous ways.  He served two terms as a city councilman for the City of Sandersville.  He was an instrumental member of the Sandersville Lion Club, the Twin City Country Club and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and serving each as president.  Many awards were bestowed on Otis during his lifetime including, Lion of the Year, Rotary Citizen of the Year, Miner of the Year by the Georgia Mining Association, and certificate of appreciation for his service on the Sandersville Housing Authority.  Otis was an avid golfer and won the title of Club Champion at Twin City Country Club 12 different years.  He was known by many as a man of great character who was a distributor of laughter, joy and love.

Survivors include his loving wife of 73 years, Anne Hood Smith; sons, Kenneth Smith and his wife Jean of Statesboro, Billy Smith and his wife Karen and Mike Smith and his wife Becky all of Sandersville; grandchildren, Erin Smith, Leah Smith, Alan Smith and his wife Allison, Wes Smith and his wife Molly, Bradley Smith, Jason Smith and his wife Ginger and Lauren S. Ryther; and eleven great grandchildren.

The family will greet friends Sunday, November 21, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville, Georgia.

Donations may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 2947 Pleasant Grove Road, Sandersville, GA 31082; First Baptist Church of Sandersville, 316 Mathis Circle, Sandersville, GA 31082; or Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church, 154 Mt. Gilead Church Road, Tennille, GA 31089, in memory of Otis.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.  Leave a condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com