Mr. Russell Guy Smith, age 89, of Vidalia went home to be with Jesus early Saturday morning May, 26, 2018 at Community Hospice due to pulmonary asbestosis and mesothelioma.  Mr. Smith was born and raised in Bleckley County.  He was the son of the late Johnny B. and Ruby Hobbs Smith and step-father J.O. Stokes.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. UR “Cap” Smith and one brother, Dallas “Brother” Smith.  

Mr. Smith was a Veteran of the United States Navy where he served during World War II as a 3rd Class Petty Officer aboard the USS Fargo.  He was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal for his wartime service.  Mr. Smith worked as a machinist and airplane mechanic specialist at Robins Air Force Base where he retired with 33 years of service. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Vidalia for the past 29 years where he was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.

Russell is survived by his lovely wife of 71 years Beverly J. Smith; his son, Dr. Ronnie Smith and his wife Angie of Vidalia; two brothers, Johnnie B. Smith of Gainesville Ga. and Jimmy Stokes of Madison Ga.; four grandchildren, Rusty Smith and wife Jensie of Vidalia, Amy Hobbs and husband Kerry of Cumming, Aspen Smith and Fiancé Michael Talley of Washington, D.C. and Eric Smith of Vidalia; and five great-grandchildren, Mary Katherine Hobbs, Caroline Hobbs, Addison Smith, Jack Hobbs and Russell Smith.

Funeral services for Mr. Russell Guy Smith will be held Monday, May 28 2018, at 2 PM at First Baptist Church of Vidalia with Reverend Dr. Ricky Cummings, Dr. Ronnie Smith, Jack Thompson and Ed Smith officiating.  A private interment service will follow later in the afternoon at the Smith Family Cemetery at the Dr. Ronnie Smith Complex with Lee Arnold officiating.   The family will receive friends for visitation at Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Vidalia Chapel on Sunday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Vidalia First Baptist Church at PO Box 631 Vidalia GA 30475.

Stewart- Rosier Funeral Service is in charge of funeral arrangements.