Mr. Joe Louis Smith, 79, of LaGrange, passed away Friday at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center.

Joe Louis was born September 17, 1937 in Chambers County, Alabama to the late Allen and Mary Willie Smith. He attended Mount Beulah School in LaGrange, Georgia.  

He joined Mount Beulah Baptist Church at an early age, where he served as a trustee of the church.  An industrious and hardworking man, he was employed with Sims Lumber Company at age 13 until he retired on disability.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Sarah “Catherine” Smith, two daughters, Connie Smith and Janice Nellon-Mosley, and one son Joe Louis Smith, Jr. and four siblings—Willie B. Smith (Susie), Virginia Copeland (Nelson), Douglas Smith (Catherine), and Mary Ann Laurendine. 

Survivors include his four children, Sylvia Smith, Rodney (Ramona) Smith, Randall Smith, and Tracy Smith all of LaGrange; three sisters, Annie Potts and Bobbie Jean Smith of LaGrange; Geneva Hurston of Ellenwood, GA;  and one brother, Gurson Smith, of LaGrange; one great-aunt, Belinda Blakely of Chattanooga, TN; four granddaughters; six in-laws, Matron Askew, Mary Jo Edmondson, Katie Powell, Jimmy Glenn, Victor Glenn of LaGrange and Dorothy Carter and Gail Bailey of Atlanta; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

The Celebration of Life Service will be Thursday at 1:00 at Mt. Beulah Baptist Church. Pastor Craig Thornton will officiate. Burial will follow at Meadow Gardens Cemetery.

You may express your condolences or sign the guest book by visiting www.lakesdunsonrobertson.com.

The family will be at their home at 1236 N. Hutchinson Mill Road.

The excellent care of Mr. Smith is being provided by Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home.