‘Junior’ Smith (8-14-11)

JEFFERSON - Jesse “Junior” Smith, 71, died on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at University Nursing and Rehabilitation in Athens, following a period of declining health.

A native of Jackson County, he was the son of the late Jesse Glen and Rose Irene Cooper Smith. Mr. Smith retired from the Barrow County Board of Education as a bus mechanic with many years of service. Mr. Smith was a member of Union Baptist Church. Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his grandchild, Jacob Jesse Bryant; and a brother, Wayne Smith.

Survivors include his wife Betty Mae Smith, Jefferson; daughter, Deborah Smith Bryant, Jefferson; godchildren, Tommy Brooks, Jefferson, and Stacy Brooks Jefferson; brothers, James Smith, Jefferson, and Henry C. Smith, Meridian, Miss.; grandchildren, Joshua Bryant and god-grandchildren, Dustin Sullivan and Destiny Sullivan; and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday August 17, at Evans Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Evans Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the funeral home from 2 to 8 p.m.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.