Robert Eugene "Gene" Smith (82) parted with this world to meet our Savior on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family. Gene was born in 1941 and grew up living next door to his grandparents in Eton, GA with his two sisters, many cousins, and some good friends. He loved all sports and played baseball, basketball and football and ran track at Murray County High School. He even set a few football records and played on the 1960 State Basketball Championship team.

Gene must have been a smooth talker because in 1961 he married Patricia Sanford. Gene & Pat were blessed with two children, Rhonda Smith & Stephen Smith. Rhonda swears Steve was the favorite child. Steve married Leigh Anne Black, and they blessed Gene with a granddaughter, Carley Smith. Now truth-be-told, Carley was the favorite, and he was an amazing Papaw. Gene had a lot of friends in this small town and was especially close to his brother-in-law and neighbor, Winston Brown. The two were closer than brothers and spent many days hunting and fishing together (and often with their boys), especially after retiring from the DOT in 1993. He later worked a couple of days weekly at Chatsworth Sporting Goods to avoid his honey-do-list and to engage in hunting and fishing tales.

Gene loved the Lord and his church, Holly Creek Baptist. He was even in a gospel group, The Holly Creek Messengers, in the 70's & 80's. Ol' Gene was a talker, so making friends at church and in town came quite easily. He also enjoyed membership in the local breakfast club for many years where he joined in conversations about politics, UGA football, local sports, fishing, and hunting. These were all good times.

Gene faced a handful of health problems that he did his best to beat, and he never expected to live to 82. He had a good long life. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Odell & Ada Godfrey Smith; in-laws, J.D. & Ruby Kendrick Sanford; bother-in-law, Jerry Sanford; and nephews, Jerry Sanford Jr. and Glenn Nichols. Gene Smith will always be loved and remembered by his wife, Patricia Sanford Smith; daughter, Rhonda Smith, son and daughter-in-law, Stephen & Leigh Anne Black Smith; granddaughter & grandson-in-law, Carley Smith Bolton and Tucker Bolton; sister & brother-in-law, Sue & Winston Buchanan; sister, Judy Pack; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Winston & Johanna Sanford Brown; sister-in-law, Brenda Sanford; nephews & nieces: Mike & Marianna Brown, Greg & Debbie Brown, Samantha & Fred Gregg, Melinda & LaDarren Edgeman, Eric Buchanan, & Sonya Pack; and many precious great nieces & nephews, and their littles, who are all now enlisted to recite his holiday blessing prayer.

Countless caregivers helped maintain his strength for longer than anyone expected possible and then offered comfort in his last days. Kind and loyal friends visited often and lifted his spirits. His family is forever grateful.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Robert Eugene "Gene" Smith will be held on Thursday, December 7th, 2023, at 3:00pm in the chapel of Holly Creek Baptist Church (Chatsworth, GA) with Pastor Danny Cochran & Rev. Jimmy Dixon officiating.

Pallbearers: Mike Brown, Greg Brown, Eric Buchanan, Willard Ballew, Emmett Hogan, Winston Brown, & Leon Headrick

The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00pm until the hour of service.

Interment will follow at Holly Creek Cemetery.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Robert Eugene "Gene" Smith.