Mr. Steve Richard Smith, age 71 of Soperton passed away on Monday morning, November 22, 2021 at the home of his daughter in Dublin, Georgia.
A native and lifelong resident of Treutlen County, Steve was the fourth of six children born to the late Oscar Vinon “O.V.” Smith and Alma Barnhill Smith. He and his siblings grew up on, worked on and lived on the family farm at the cross roads of Highway 46 and Rosemont Church Roads. Steve was a graduate of Treutlen High School. At the age of fifteen, Steve’s father passed away leaving a young family. Steve took on the responsibility of the farm and his younger siblings. He farmed for years before starting and building a successful construction company with Dale Ricks. In addition to building homes he operated heavy equipment; clearing land, building ponds and being a “Jack of All Trades”; all the while continuing to farm and raise hogs after working a full day. Steve attended Brewton Parker College where he earned his Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Psychology and was inline to complete his Doctorate. He later taught at Brewton Parker and joined the staff of Pineland Mental Health in Vidalia where he became the Director before retiring.
He had attended Rosemont Baptist Church and was an avid fan of the Andy Griffith Show and Westerns.
Steve was a selfless man that sacrificed himself for others. He was the “Go To” person for advice on life and how to fix anything. He mentored many more than he will ever know. His wisdom will be carried on by those that were privileged to have known him.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred O’Brien Smith, his son, Jody Richard Smith and two brothers, Vinon and Gerald Smith.
He leaves behind his daughter, Amy Lanthrip and her husband, Billy, Dublin, GA, a special son, Frank Jackson and his wife, Misty, Soperton. GA, two sisters, Virginia Lawson, Soperton, GA, Sheila Bryant, Monticello, GA, a brother, Keith Smith, Soperton, GA, grandchildren, Ciera Rogers, Jazzlyn Smith, Jody Richard Smith Jr., Toby Hardy and Bill Lanthrip III, great grandchildren, Jagger Braswell, Jhett Rogers and River Rogers as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside in Barnhill – Davis Cemetery at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 with his son in law, Billy Lanthrip officiating.
His family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Sammons Funeral Home.
Please share a memory, leave a condolence and sign the online guest register at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com
SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, MONUMENTS and FLORIST, The Tradition Since 1917, Soperton, Georgia
