Joseph Bailey Smith

JB was born in Gadsden, AL on March 4, 1939, to the late Joseph Bailey Smith, Sr. and the late Ada Mae Tankersley Smith.

JB was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend of 58 years, Julia Eleanor (Judy) Smith.

He is survived by children Rhett Smith, Rod Smith (Lisa), Regina Aycock (Joel), eleven grandchildren, Jarrod Smith, Ashlyn Kingry (Seth), Logan Smith (Sarah), Ansley O’Neal (Will), Alyssa Perry (Brandon), Parker Smith (Caitlin), Evan Smith, Nicholas Smith, Micah Aycock, AnnaBelle Smith and Macy Smith. In addition, there are ten great-grandchildren and one about to make her appearance. He is also survived by his brother, Bobby Smith (Priscilla) of Hickory, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

JB was a veteran, serving 7 years of active duty in the US Navy and 13 years of reserve service split between the Navy and the US Air Force. He was deeply patriotic and loved his country very much. His civilian career was primarily with the Centers for Disease Control where he worked in electronics. He retired in 1997. He also taught night classes in Electronics Technology at Marietta Cobb Vo-Tech and Chattahoochee Tech.

JB was a man of strong faith. He was a member of Welcome All Baptist Church in Smyrna, GA, Orange Hill Baptist Church in Austell, and Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville. His many areas of church service included bus ministry, decision counseling, Sunday school teacher, youth ministry and several years as a deacon. He had a passion for bringing people into a saving relationship with Jesus.

In his free time, he enjoyed golf, wood carving, painting, and time with his children and grandchildren.

The visitation and funeral service will be held at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw on Friday, October 27. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 pm with the memorial service at 3:00 pm.

He will be interred at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA with a full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.