William Eugene “Gene” Smith, 82, of Enigma passed away Monday, October 26, 2015, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2015, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with Rev. Elmer Golden and Rev. Kenny Kicklighter officiating. Mr. Smith will be laid to rest at Turner Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Enigma. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 29, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Jamie Conger, Michael Sumner, Brian Connell, Gary Sumner, Darrell Edenfield, Donald Smith Jr., Alton Benefield, Zack Greeson, Kenny Hamilton and Danny Hamilton will serve as pallbearers.
Born January 4, 1933 in Cook County, Mr. Smith was the son of the late Marvin Smith and Verlie Pitts Smith. He was also preceded in death by one son, Bill Smith; a granddaughter, Candace Elizabeth Smith; two grandsons, Eston Connell Jr. and Ricky Colbert; one brother, Frankie “Buck” Smith; and a sister, Frances Napier. He retired from the pest control business and attended Alapaha Church of God. He was also a veteran of the United States Army.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Betty Armstrong Smith of Enigma; one son, Randy Smith of Omega; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Eston Connell of Nashville and Kathy and Steve O’Brien of Hartwell; two brothers, Thurman Smith and Donald Smith, both of Omega; one sister, Sivienell Edenfield of Tifton; eleven grandchildren, Brett Smith, Brandi Smith, Christy Pilkinton, Michael Sumner and wife Libby, Brian Connell and wife Brandy, Tasha Smith, Cindy Farmer, Trevor O’Brien, Jamie Conger, Ashley Conger and Nichole Roland; and eight great-grandchildren, Lexi Conger, Kelee Smith, Belle Conger, Audrey Connell, Brandon Sumner, Zoey Smith, Zoey Conger and London Conger.