Ralph Earl Smith

Ralph E. Smith, surrounded by his children and loved ones, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 28, 2018. Mr. Smith was born December 17, 1923 in Odom, Georgia. His early years were spent in Ludowici, Georgia. At the age of thirteen, he and his family moved to the Brunswick area where he lived until his passing.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Grantham Smith; they were married for 69 years.

Ralph and Betty raised three children: Beverly Aaron (Danny) of Shreveport, Louisiana; David Smith (Suzanne) of Augusta, Georgia; and Randy Smith (Ellen) of Brunswick, Georgia. Mr. Smith is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Smith was predeceased by his parents, Joe B. Smith and Sallie Bessie DePratter Smith, as well as his five brothers and one sister.

Mr. Smith graduated from Glynn Academy High School in 1943 and continued his education by graduating from Perry Business School. In high school he was a member of the National Honor Society.

Ralph entered the Army Air Corp on August 4, 1943 and served as a navigator on the B-17 during World War II. After an honorable discharge from the service, Mr. Smith was employed by the Ship’s Service Department, NAS, St. Simons Island, Georgia until May 10, 1947. Mr. Smith retired from Hercules Powder Company as a pipefitter and retired from UA Local 177. Mr. Smith was the developer and owner of Glynn Acres Mobile Home Park.

Mr. Smith faithfully served his Lord throughout his life. He attended Calvary Baptist Church from 1952 until he was no longer able to attend. He was a Deacon and Department Chairperson of many committees. He served as church treasurer for 34 years and never missed a church conference during those 34 years.

Those who knew Ralph Smith, knew him to be a devoutly honest Christian man who loved his Lord and his family . He loved to travel and spent many years RVing with friends to Blue Grass festivals. Summer vacations were spent with his family in “the mountains.” He and his wife also spent vacations in Maui and stateside coastlines.

He was asked one time what he contributed his longevity to and his reply was “clean living, westerns and chocolate ice cream.”

Family and friends are invited to the visitation at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at the Edo Miller Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Earl Boyette officiating. Burial will follow at the Palmetto Cemetery with the Rev. Don Spires officiating.

Serving active pallbearers are Lee Bruce, Fred Coolidge, Rance Clark, Herbert Rogers and Alton DePratter.

The family would like to thank the staff at HomeLife at Glynco where he spent his last three years and the staff of Hospice of the Golden Isles for their care in his final days.

Donations may be made in his name to his beloved Calvary Baptist Church, 3105 Wildwood Drive, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me that day and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.