Paul Abraham Smith Jr.

Paul A. Smith, Jr., 73, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, passed away on April 27th, 2016, lovingly surrounded by his family at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, the city he loved to call home for over 47 years.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 1, at H.M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 with Reverend Mark Krimm of Houston, Texas officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Arlington Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 4:00 PM – 6:PM.

Paul was born in Columbia, South Carolina on November 30, 1942. He graduated from Dreher High School and received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of South Carolina.

He was married to his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Betty Simpson Smith for almost 49 years. He was predeceased by his father, Paul A. Smith, Sr. and sister, Jane Smith Staton. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Smith, and two daughters, Shannon Meyring(Robert) and Brittany Esparza(Ryan), three grandchildren, Eliza and Jack Griffin and Alexander Meyring and his beloved yellow lab, Clancey. Pallbearers are: lifelong friends Francis DuBose, Mike Campbell and Alex Miller; Vinings neighbor and friend for 40 years Charlie Land; brother-in-law Bill Simpson, and nephews Chris Station, Allen Simpson and Marty Simpson.

As a successful Agency Owner with Allstate for 40 years, he received numerous awards and qualified as a National Conference Champion multiple times. He was once recognized as the #1 Agent in the State of Georgia in several categories of issued policies. His customers valued his honesty, and his easygoing demeanor gave him an edge when helping people with their coverage needs. This was the essence of his success. His longtime associate told anyone who would listen that he was the “best boss” she ever had.

One could usually find Paul beside, in, on or under the ocean with his family who were all certified SCUBA divers and just recently with his grandchildren who became Junior Divers in 2014. He adored his family and loved when the house at Hilton Head was filled with fun and laughter from his family, friends, relatives and dogs. He was a voracious reader and knew and loved everything about World War II especially the aircraft and ships of that era. Paul had a passion for cars, anything and everything about them, and his family loved to tease him about his many sports cars and not so many ‘practical’ cars over the years. He had an amazing sense of humor and amused himself with his silly nicknames for loved ones including Nutty Buddy, Kitten, Pooh Bear, Snarflefinger, Jackbo Buddy and Zander Zooter.

He was a very proud past member of The Rotary Club of Vinings serving as an officer in various positions but most of all enjoying his role as the Web Master. After Betty and he moved to Hilton Head last year, he became a member of the VanLandingham Rotary Club, Hilton Head Sail & Power Squadron and Hilton Head “Yacht” Club. He was enjoying making new friends in those organizations and looking forward to getting his boat out for the spring water activities of The Low Country.

Usually dressed in his crisp pull over Polo shirt, khakis and loafers without socks, Paul could be found shagging with Betty to South Carolina beach music at any opportunity. Most friends and even acquaintances commented that when he was speaking with you he made you feel as if you were the only person “at the party.” He was ever famous for his quick and witty one-liners, especially to diffuse an argument or a negative situation. When Paul spoke, though he was a quiet unassuming man, people listened. He was taken too soon and will be missed by all whose lives he touched during the time he was with us.

Flowers or donations to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, or the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation in his memory will be cherished by his family.