Leon G. Smith

Leon G. (Smitty) Smith, 87, died Nov. 15, 2012 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. He was born August 4, 1925 at River Junction, FL and was raised in Pensacola, FL. He attended college at Georgia Tech and served in the US Navy during WWII. His professional career as a corporate purchasing/materials manager moved the family to several locations in the South including Pensacola, FL, Corinth, MS, Savannah, TN, Franklin, TN and Jonesboro, AR.

He was appointed by former Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton to serve on his cabinet for four years as Commissioner of the Department of General Services for the State of Tennessee. He retired to Jonesboro in 1980 and spent time as a building contractor and rice farmer. He loved spending time with his family and hunting on his ranch near Hardy. He was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church and the Friendship/Fellowship Sunday School class.

He was preceded in death by his only granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Orr and his only brother, William Leslie Smith.

Survivors include Jane Smith, his wife of 68 years; two daughters, Cynthia (Bill) Orr of Conway, AR and Susan (Joel) Miller of Jonesboro, AR, and one grandson, Scott Orr of Conway, AR.

A service to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, Nov.25, 2012 at 2pm at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Jonesboro with Rev. Chris Hemund officiating. Emerson Funeral Home in charge.
Visitation with the family will be at the church immediately following the service.

A burial service was previously held at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, FL on Nov.19, 2012 with Rev. Ken Autrey officiating.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, for lasting memorials please consider Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 1910 Disciple Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401; Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, AR 72401 or a charity of one’s choice.