Noel Eugene Smith, Sr.

Mr. Noel Eugene Smith, Sr., age 76, of Cedartown passed away Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Mr. Smith was born January 14, 1947, son of his late parents Clyde and Margaret King Smith.

Mr. Smith had a servant’s heart. He was a proud member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church where he served as deacon for several years. He was a prankster and enjoyed a good laugh. Mr. Smith was a selfless person who was always willing to help anyone. He was a patient person, a man of few words. When he spoke, there was meaning behind it. His positive phrase resonated with others, “It could always be worse.”

Mr. Smith always had a smile on his face and greeted everyone with his famous wave. He enjoyed camping, spending time with his family and friends at the lake, and gold mining. He found several bits of gold, but never enough for early retirement! Noel and his wife Barbara enjoyed traveling to the mountains or to Gadsden, Alabama to get gas because it was five cents cheaper! Noel loved watching Western movies and holding his dog, Lotti.

On Saturdays, Noel enjoyed venturing out with Michelle and Barbara. They enjoyed eating at Jack’s and exploring many places.

Noel and Barbara were loving foster parents in Polk County. They provided love and care for 205 kids over their time serving as foster parents. They continue to have close relationships with several of their “kids”.

In 2019, Noel, Barbara, and Michelle traveled back to New Jersey to reminisce on his years in the Air Force. They visited their first house in Lakewood, New Jersey and where he worked in New Egypt, New Jersey.

He served 4 years in the United States Air Force where he served as sergeant. His Air Force career started in New Jersey at McGuire Air Force Base. He then went to Maine and Alaska.

He was a proud Scoutmaster for Unit 17 for the Boy Scouts of Cedartown for ten years. Camp Sidney Dew was a place he enjoyed taking the boys camping. His boy scouts included his sons, Noel Jr. and Norman.

In 1970 after returning to Cedartown from the military, Mr. Smith worked as a Supervisor at Nopco which then became Diamond Shamrock, Henkle, and Geo where he had a 37 year career working for the plant ,and retired in 2007. The following year, he went to work at Meggitt in Rockmart as a sandblaster where he worked for 7 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Margaret King Smith; sisters, Pricilla Adams and Mary Smith; and daughter, Brandy Moeller.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Barbara Smith, of 57 years; children; Michelle Ivey (Sheldon),Noel Smith, Jr. (Jean), Norman Smith (Lori), Jessica Willingham (Adam),and Kathy Thompson (Jonathan); Grandchildren, Cody White, Molly Crook (Miles), Jaeme Ivey,(Kyle), Kaleb Smith (Jenny), Anna-Lauren Smith, Sam Smith, Logan Waddell, and Josie Jean Thompson; great-grandson; Maverick Crook; brother, George Smith (Mattie). Several nieces, nephews, cousins also survive.

The family will receive friends Monday, September 18, 2023 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Smith and Miller Funeral Home.

Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Smith and Miller Funeral Home with Reverend Danny Tucker officiating. Interment will follow at Polk Memory Gardens with Brown-Wright Post 12 American Legion providing military honors.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Cody White, Miles Crook, Maverick Crook, Brian Owen, Adam Willingham, Jonathan Thompson, Tyler Smith, Logan Waddell, and Sam Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Faith Missionary Baptist Church adult Sunday School class.

Smith and Miller Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Noel Eugene Smith, Sr.