April 26, 2024
Mr. Richard Lamar “Rick” Smith, 70, passed at the East Georgia Regional Medical Center on October 5, 2022.
Rick was a native of LaGrange, Georgia and was born to Olin and Novil Adams Smith. Upon graduation of LaGrange High School, class of 1970, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Georgia Southern University in 1974, a Master’s in Education from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1979, and in 1984 he received his Certificate of Ordination from the First Baptist Church of Lafayette. From there he would devote his life to the teaching of the gospel to youth of Southeast Georgia. Rick began an illustrious career serving as youth director of the First Baptist Church of Lafayette, First Baptist Church of Sylvania and lastly, Jackson Baptist Church. In 2008, He would accept the position of part time director and third grade educator with the Community Christian School and until his health would not permit, as history and Bible studies educator with the Screven Christian Academy. He was the recipient of the WTOC’s teacher of the Week, The Georgia Baptist Youth Ministers Fellowship’s highest achievement, The Barnabus Award, and won the National Citizenship Teacher Post Award from VFW #7116. As an educator and one to not remain idle, he spent his summers employed with the City of Savannah’s Welcome Center.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings, Patricia Seymour and William Smith.
He is survived by his nephews, Jamie Smith and Matthew (Amanda) Martin, nieces, Melanie (Paul) Williams, Misty (Robin Grethe) Martin, Heather Seymour, Leslie Pierce, and Lisa Fuller, and Pam and Jerome Womble, as well as 15 great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11:00am in the First Baptist Church of Sylvania with Rev. Clint Sheppard, Rev. Ralph Dixon, John Tripplet, and Rev. David Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends for an hour prior to service.
Honorary pallbearers will be current and former youth and students Rick taught and encouraged.
