Jimmy Ralph Smith

Jimmy R. Smith, 79, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, passed away on February 29, 2024. It was unexpected, but he was surrounded by his daughters and sons-in-law. Jim had only recently, a few weeks ago, experienced the loss of his wife of almost 59 years, Elisabeth.

Born on November 11th in Anderson, South Carolina, to Dorothy Mae Vickery and Archie R. Smith, Jim grew up in Hartwell, Georgia. With much encouragement from his grandmother “Mama”, Ophelia Melissa Smith, he studied hard and was valedictorian when he graduated from Hart County High. With scholarships, he attended and graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Industrial Engineering. During college, he married Elisabeth Smith. They raised their three daughters in Roswell, GA. Jim was loyal and dependable, a devoted husband and dad. In addition to being present at their many activities, he made sure he got his girls to church on the many Sundays Elisabeth had to work as a nurse. Jim went on to earn an MBA from Georgia State University and worked most of his career for Georgia Power Company. He was a good provider. Despite his Ramblin’ Wreck spirit, he signed UGA tuition checks over a ten-year span for his daughters. Then, Jim went on to walk them down the aisle and pay for their three weddings. In time, he started and ran his own custom homebuilding business, pursuing a dream he had held to follow his own dad’s example of being a builder.

In retirement, Jim and Elisabeth moved to Amelia Island, FL, where he took up sharks’ teeth hunting with much success. Jim enjoyed spending his time with Elisabeth and their extended family, whether it be on the beach, attending water aerobics, dinners out, or ocean cruises.

He leaves behind his daughters Angelique (Adam) Hayes of Roswell, GA, Ashley (Jeff) Brown of Canton, GA, and Aimee (Paul) Kirday of Alpharetta, GA; his siblings, JoAnn (George) Lewis of Easley, SC, and Lenford (Rita) Smith of Hartwell, GA; his grandchildren, Tanner (Shelby) Hayes of Anderson, SC, Jack Hayes of Denver, CO, Lydia Hayes of Roswell, GA, Abbie (Bennett) Harbour of Fernandina Beach, and Harper Brown and Keller Brown of Canton, GA; his in-laws, Miriam and Allen Davis, Bruce Smith and Marie Allen, Neal and Lisa Smith, Sandy and Cindy MacNabb, and many other cousins, nephews and nieces. Jim’s first great-grandchild is due this month.

In addition to his wife Elisabeth’s recent passing, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, and his granddaughter Claire Elisabeth Kirday.

Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, March 13th, 4:00-6:00 pm in the parlor at Roswell United Methodist Church. A private family service will be held later at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Donations may be made in his memory to Nassau County Council on Aging at www.nassaucountycouncilonaging.org/campaign/ to support their respectful efforts for seniors and their families, or to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers?form=FUNSETYDEFK.