Mr. James Papa, Jimmy & Uncle Jimmy Follin Smith Jr.

SMITH, Jr., James Follin, affectionately known as “Papa”, “Jimmy”, and “Uncle Jimmy” went to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday May 14, 2016, at the age of 89. He courageously battled Parkinson’s disease for 19 years. Jim was born in Brewton, Alabama, attending the city school system. He graduated from T.R. Miller High School, playing football from which he carried many fond memories. Jim also attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. He went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Navy, Seventh Fleet, and received his training at the Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois. The majority of his tenure was served in the Philippine Islands during WWII and he was honorably discharged in 1946. Jim attended API (Auburn) from 1946-1950. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, Beta Theta chapter. From Auburn, Jim went on to work for his Dad in Brewton, Alabama at Brewton Wholesale Company. In 1952 he moved to Birmingham, first working for William R. Phillips and Co., then Folks, McGriff & Seibels, which set the foundation of his insurance career. Jim moved to Montgomery in 1967 and became President of the Roy L. Nolen Agency, Inc., building a successful contract bond and insurance business, which served the construction industry. The Nolen Agency was sold to Collier Cobb & Associates, Inc. in 1984. Jim retired in 1986. He was a member of Eastwood Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Al. Jim was an avid, avid Auburn fan, who loved attending games and traveling to see his Tigers play. He became a member of the Samford Society in October of 1998. He also enjoyed golf, spending time at his home on Lake Martin, and his dog Callie, better known as “Ears”. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, James “Dee” and Minnie Rentz Smith; his brother, Dr. Robert R. Smith; his first wife, Jane Henry Smith and second wife, Olivia “Tootie” Phillips Smith; step-son, Samuel “Bo” Phillips. Jim is survived by his daughter, Charlotte (Don) Farnham; step-son, Edmund “Skip” Phillips; step-daughter, Lynn (Anthony) Telle; grandchildren, Kathryn Farnham, James Farnham, Mary Gardner, Bud Phillips, Libby Van Gerwen and Becky Telle; nieces and nephew, Follin (John) Gerdy, Leigh (Dr. Brent) Faircloth, Kate (Joe) Lavelle, Russell (Margaret Ann) Smith; faithful friends, Ernest Sellers and Frank McCorkle. A funeral service will be held at Alabama Heritage Chapel on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at Union Cemetery in Brewton, AL with Senior Pastor Bart Lester officiating both services. Active pallbearers will be James Farnham, Russell Smith, Raymond Faircloth, Jimmie Travis, Earlie “Red” Rivers, and Sam Blakely. Honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Sellers, Frank McCorkle, and Tommy James. The family extends special love and appreciation to all the caregivers who helped to manage Jim at home in his later years: Sandra Blakely, Earlie “Red” Rivers, Linda Works, LaVonda Robinson, Brenda Provitt, Diane Hamm and his barber Mary Beth Boyette. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in memory of Jim, to Eastwood Presbyterian Church, Auburn University, the Parkinson’s Foundation, or your favorite charity. As you read this … in closing, Jim would tell you all, “War Eagle” and “Be careful”.