Herman Lester Smith

Herman Lester Smith, born Dec. 24, 1921, in Clay Co., KY to Maggie and Charles Smith. died January 14, 2012, in Murfreesboro, TN. He and his wife of 67 years, the former Barbara Retha Mathis, lived on Allen Road in Macon, GA for 52 years. Their children are Rhonda Jones, Murfreesboro, TN, and Gary Smith, Panama City, FL; their grandchildren are Todd Smith, Shea Johnson, Christy Williams, Caroline Graef, and Meredith Smith of Florida; Brandon Jones, Amber Myers, and Aaron Leicht, all of Rutherford County, TN; twelve great-grandchildren. A brother and sister, Herbert Smith and Mae Bowling, live in Louisville, KY, and Blanchester, OH.

Mr. Smith played basketball at Eastern Kentucky State University before enlisting in the Army Air Corps to become a P-47 fighter pilot, serving in the 9th Air Force, 81st squadron, 50th Fighter Group. He flew 97 combat missions in Europe during 1944-1945, earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He worked as a contract specialist for RAFB and the Pentagon and retired in 1984. He was also a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Rutland Lodge. Mr. Smith was a charter member of Porterfield Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for more than 50 years. He and his wife attended River Rock Baptist in Murfreesboro, where they had lived for the past seven years.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16 at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue, and funeral services will be conducted at Porterfield Baptist Church on Allen Road, Macon, GA at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, with graveside services at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.