Mr. Teddy Ray Smith, Sr., age 86 of Ellijay, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at The Oaks of Ellijay.

Mr. Smith was born on January 30th, 1937, in Quentin, MS, to the late Hosie W. Smith and Lola Estell (Hammock) Smith. He was born and raised in Mississippi. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War onboard The USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13) and, later, became a welder, fabricator, and realtor, which he enjoyed, greatly. Mr. Smith loved The Lord, he was a family man, always putting his family first. He loved to garden, sing, and play his guitar; he even cut a couple of records in New Orleans, in his younger days.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart, his wife of 53 plus years, Juanita (Planchard) Smith; son, Teddy Ray Smith, Jr, and siblings, Addie Jean (Smith) Williams, Howard W. Smith, and Jimmy Earl Smith, and wife of 10 plus years, Dora Jean Wells Wasendorf Smith.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Susan Ann (Smith) Langhoff (Glenn) of Ellijay; son and daughter-in-law, Alan Christopher Smith(Julia) ; former and very much loved daughter-in-law, Lana Ibieta Smith; four grandchildren, Teddy Ray Smith, III of Chalmette, LA, Lauren Brittany (Smith) Blackwell (Derek) of Chalmette, LA, Lindsey Brooke (Smith) Bastoe (Scott) of Chalmette, LA, and Sarah Juanita Smith; four great-grandchildren, Briley Blackwell, Micah Bastoe, Emerson Blackwell, and Jake Bastoe; step-children, Winona (Wasendorf) Wilkerson (Jerry) and Leonard Lafayette Wasendorf. Known as Papa Teddy to many step-grand/great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 2:00 PM CST at the New Zion Baptist Church located at 17387 New Zion Church Rd, Covington, Louisiana 70435 with Dr. Clark Stewart, Senior Pastor, officiating. The family will be receiving friends starting at 1:00 PM prior to the service.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Ellijay, GA.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of arrangements.