Wayne Smith, 71, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Coliseum Medical Center in Macon.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Evan Harper officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Smith was born July 11, 1946, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Lamar & Ruby Smith. He was a 1965 graduate of Fitzgerald High School. Mr. Smith had a long career in agribusiness as a farmer and crop insurance adjuster. He began working in crop insurance for the federal government when the program was created in 1980 and later transitioned to the private sector. He was an avid boatman and enjoyed fishing, especially in salt water. He loved to golf and was often known to tell a good joke. He loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Smith of Fitzgerald; his children: Amber Smith Clark and her husband Mike Clark of Fitzgerald and Justin Smith and his wife Nicole Cleghorn Smith of Fitzgerald and two grandchildren: Anna Katherine Clark and Cole Weston Wayne Smith. Many special nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marlene Blevins and five brothers, Donald Smith, Shelton Smith, Edward Smith, David Smith, and Robert Smith.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Humane Society, 106 Lions Park Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to the donor’s favorite charity.