James (Jimmy) Ernest Smith

James "Jimmy" Ernest Smith, age 78 of Young Harris, GA passed away Wednesday March 11, 2020. Jimmy was born June 15, 1941 to the late Ernest and Annie (Wood) Smith in Lavonia, GA. He was a life-long resident of Towns County and member of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church. To say Jimmy was a sports fan would be putting it lightly. He truly loved basketball, baseball and golf. Jimmy played baseball under Coach Zell Miller at Young Harris College and diligently supported the YHC sports programs in subsequent years. He had a very competitive nature and his love of sports led to him becoming a high school & college basketball official for several decades once his playing days were over. Jimmy lived life in a “happy-go-lucky" manner and enjoyed joking around with his good friends, former teammates and fellow sports officials. 

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived in death by his wife of 59 years, Patricia (Hooper) Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Laurette Smith of Young Harris, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Andrea and Tony Dyer of Blairsville, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Anthony "Rapp" and Jane Rogers of Dunwoody, GA; sister Jerrie Cheek of Marietta, GA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wes and Susie Hooper of Young Harris, GA; Grandchildren, Vicky Smith of Asheville, NC and Brook Smith of Monroe, GA; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Sunday, March 15, 2020 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: Monday, March 16, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Banister-Cooper Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Rumfelt and Danny Byers officiating.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Steve Hood, Jacky Jones, Jerry Kendall, Morris Neal, Michael Rogers, and Eddie Rushton.

Banister-Cooper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Smith.