Clay's life was well lived, and he was well loved. The Lord called him home peacefully, with his family by his side on Sunday April 11, 2021, in his 73rd year. He was a member of Roswell First Baptist Church since 1985.
This gentle, loving, and wonderful man has left a permanent mark etched on our hearts, and will be greatly missed by his wife and best friend Pam, and all who loved him. He was a proud patriarch, and his lasting gift is the foundation he built in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Clay was a hardworking, faithful, and loving man, blessed with a strength he found in his relationship with God.
Clay was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to William Arnold and Arritta Louise “Rennie” Smith, and shared a wonderful childhood with his sisters, Phyllis Anne Martin, Elizabeth "Biddy" Cranford, and Billie Merle Dupree. In 1971, he married the love of his life, Pamela Harris of Tarrant, AL. Pam and Clay would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year on November 20.
He attended Centerpoint Elementary and Hewitt Trussville High in Alabama. He worked throughout college with the Co-Op program at Alabama Power, where his father enjoyed a career of over 45 years. He was a proud War Eagle and member of Delta Chi Fraternity, graduating from Auburn University in 1971 with a degree in Industrial Management.
He began his career at Georgia Power in 1971. He later joined Southern Company Services, then earned his Juris Doctor degree from Birmingham School of Law in 1981. After passing the Alabama Bar Exam that year, he gained membership into the Bar of the State of Alabama. In 1999 he joined Georgia System Operations Corporation as their first in-house counsel, retiring in April 2020 as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. Clay dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to the electric utility industry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Rennie Smith, and his sister, Phyllis. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Harris Smith, his children, Justin Troy and Jason Bradley, daughter-in-law Lauren Gilbert Smith, and grandchildren, Emily Victoria, and Emerson Bradley Smith.
He will be remembered for his quick wit and his kind and loving spirit. Clay enjoyed golf and watching Auburn football with his friends, treasure hunting for antiques with his wife, and leading his children and grandchildren on brave hikes into the wilderness. Clay was generous with his time and resources and was an uplifting presence to all who knew him.
Clay's life will be celebrated by family, friends and loved ones in the Sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Roswell, 710 Mimosa Blvd. on Tuesday, April 20, at 1 PM, with visitation immediately preceding at 12 noon in the church Parlor. Reverend Jerry Tyler will officiate. Immediate family will hold private burial services at a future date. Donations in memory of Clay may be made to First Baptist Roswell.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.12.1