Clayton News Daily

Billy T. Smith

Billy T. Smith, 81, a lifelong resident of Forest Park and Clayton County, died on Aug. 25, 2009. He and his brothers, J.W. and Mike Smith, founded Smith Ace Hardware in Forest Park, and served their community for three generations. He was a leader in Jones Memorial Methodist Church in Forest Park, and more recently, Fayetteville First Methodist Church became his church family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his wife, Sara Johnson Smith.

He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Smith Lee and her husband, Dr. Dave C. Lee, of Fayetteville; son, Michael G. Smith and his wife, Vicky H. Smith, of McDonough; grandchildren, Michelle Smith, Meridith Smith, Brittany Smith, Lauren Lee, Jennifer Lee and Taylor Lee; nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m., at the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Westmoreland and the Rev. Phillip Gilbert officiating. Interment will follow at Camp Memorial Park. The body will lie in state at the church at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Aug. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Fayetteville First United Methodist Church at 175 E. Lanier Ave., Fayetteville, Ga., 30214 or Southwest Christian Hospice Care at 7285 Lester Road, Union City, Ga., 30291. Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville - www.mowellfuneralhome.com.