RICHARD RUSSELL SMITH

Richard Russell Smith, age 87, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Monday morning, April 8, 2019 at his residence.  Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Donalsonville Church of God with Rev. Phillip Kirkland, Rev. Joe Tatum, and Rev. Herman Enfinger officiating.  Interment will follow at Union Missionary Baptist Church with Ronnie Joe Shiver, Wilton Albritton, Steven Williams, Brad Cross, Ryan Shingler, and Carlous Chandler serving as active casketbearers.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, April 10, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born in Iron City, GA on March 20, 1932 to Turner Smith and Maggie Dickson Smith.  He graduated from Miller County High School in 1952, where he was named the Miller County FFA Star Georgia Planter for 1951, and was a successful row crop farmer and cattle farmer.  Mr. Smith was a member of Miller County Cotton Gin and a founding member of American Peanut Growers.  He loved everybody and was willing to help anyone.  The Smith family served as Seminole County’s Farm Family of the Year in 2004.   Mr. Smith was the youngest of 12 children and with his passing they are all together again.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 67 years, Lillian M. Smith of Donalsonville, GA; his children, Shirley Alday of Donalsonville, GA and Ricky Smith and wife Karen of Iron City, GA; his grandchildren, Nicholas Smith and wife Kyla, Kyle Smith and wife Jessica, Dusty Smith and wife Windi, Mitch Alday and wife Heather, Mikey Alday and wife Natalie, Kailee Gardner and Bradley Gardner; as well as his great grandchildren, Sutton Smith, Summer Smith, Brooke Smith, Malyn Smith, Preston Smith, Julia Smith, Jacob Smith, Josie Alday, Clara Alday, Josh Roberson, Brianna Roberson, and Chain McMillan.  Mr. Smith is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved caregiver, Tish Chrispen. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Turner and Maggie Dickson Smith; 5 brothers, Duke Smith, Bill Smith, Bob Smith, John Smith, and Lynn Smith; 6 sisters, Evelyn Hobbs, Inez Benton, Reba Enfinger, Geraldine Halks, Christine Cross, and Juanita Ingram; and his son-in-law, Sambo Alday.