Transcription:
(caption under photo: Rev. J.A. Smith ...
Rites Monday)
Rev. Smith, 86, Buried Monday
Funeral services for the Rev. J. A. Smith,
one of Chattooga County’s best-known and best-loved citizens, were held
at 2 p.m. Monday from the First Baptist Church in Summerville.
The Rev. Mr. Smith, who was 86 years old,
died at his home on Menlo Highway at 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. J. A. Smith,
Summerville; three daughters, Mrs. W. J. Holcomb, East Point, Ga., Mrs.
Frank Robinson, Lakeview, Ga., Mrs. Holland Martin, Summerville; three
sons, G. R. Smith, Chattanooga, A. M. Smith, East Point, Ga., J. E. Smith,
Decatur, Ga.; one sister, Mrs. J. A. Anderson, Calhoun, Thirteen grandchildren
and 11 great-grandchildren also survive.
The Rev. Mr. Smith was born in Gordon County
on Friday, Feb 13, 1880, the son of a farmer. His wife, the former Dora
Pass, was born on an adjoining farm.
“She’s been my only sweetheart,” the minister
said on his 80th birthday anniversary in 1960. “In that little country
school we attended, Mrs. Smith and I each had a civics book, but the teacher
had none. So she had to borrow mine and I got to share Dora’s. That’s how
it started.”
The Rev. Mr. Smith was a pastor in Northwest
Georgia for 52 years, which includes Chelsea, New Hope, Subligna, Unity,
Ebenezer, South Summerville and Poplar Springs. He was pastor of the South
Summerville Church at the time the building at the present location was
erected.
The Rev. Mr. Smith has taught in many schools.
He was holder of an honorary doctor of divinity degree. He received his
higher formal education largely through extension courses, but also studied
at Fairmount Junior College and West Georgia College.
He was a teacher, first beginning his career
in 1902 at Red Bud in Gordon County. Eight years later, he was ordained
at his home church, Bethesda, on the first Sunday in December, 1910.
In 1963, the Bethesda church declared it
would hold “Arthur Smith Day” on the first Sunday in each December “for
the next 50 years” in his honor.
The Revs. Bob Franklin and Henry Holland
officiated at rites for the Rev. Mr. Smith Monday. Burial was in Summerville
Cemetery.
(smaller notice in same paper)
Rev. J. A. Smith
The Rev. J. A. Smith, 86, died at 3:15 p.m.
Saturday. He was a pastor in Northwest Georgia for 52 years.
Funeral services were conducted from the
Summerville Baptist Church, where he was a member, at 2 p.m. Monday with
the Revs. Bob Franklin and Henry Holland officiating. Burial was in Summerville
Cemetery.
J. D. Hill Funeral Home |
