James Earl Smith, 76, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, GA.
Memorial services will be held 4 PM, Thursday, April 21 at New Bethel Holiness Baptist Church Cemetery in Ben Hill County with Rev. Eddie Smith officiating.
Mr. Smith was born in Fitzgerald to the late Hozie and Lillian Padgett Smith. Living most of his life in Fitzgerald, he played semi-professional baseball with the Fitzgerald Pioneers and was later drafted into professional baseball. Mr. Smith was a former employee of A.G. Wimpey Construction Company. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War Era. He was of Church of God faith.
He is survived by sons: Tony (Sheri) Smith of Waycross, GA and Michael Smith of Albany, GA; Grandson; Josh Smith; Cousins: Mildred (Aldeen) Solomon, Debbie (Tommy) Tucker, Jimmy (Kathleen) Padgett,and Bill Padgett, all of Fitzgerald.