Thomas Marvin Smith

Thomas (Tom) M. Smith, age 89, long term resident of Carrollton, GA passed away on November 10th, 2024, after a period of declining health. He was born in Sandersville, GA on June 6th,1935 to Marvin and Roberta Smith. After lettering in four high school sports, he went on to earn a degree in Business Management from Georgia Tech and married his childhood sweetheart Martha Lee Dye on the day after his graduation from Tech just before leaving for the Marine Corp. Tom served his country as a Marine Naval air aviator and flew airplanes and helicopters. Upon leaving the Marines he flew helicopters in the National Guard for several years. Upon leaving the military Tom had only two jobs his whole career: working at Lockheed in Marietta, GA and later at Southwire in Carrollton for 30 years before retiring in 1997. While at Southwire he went on to complete his MBA.

Tom and Martha had two children Chuck Smith and Cindy Smith Carr who were both born on Naval Air bases while Tom served in the Marines. Surviving family members are his loving wife of 67 years Martha Smith, son Chuck Smith and his wife Marlene, daughter Cindy Smith Carr, sister Gail Gilbert and her husband Dean, granddaughter’s Jessica Worley and her husband Brent, Jordan Brown and her husband Miles, and Heather Teague. Also surviving are six beloved great grandchildren and other nieces and nephews.

Tom was a member of assorted civic and business-related organizations. He was very well known in the community for his productive vegetable and flower garden which he shared with his family, friends and so many in the community. He also was well known for personally delivering “hundreds of bags” of peanut brittle and “Puffs” to his friends and many people in the community each year. Tom Smith was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. He didn’t speak a lot but when he did talk everyone listened. He had a very strong work ethic and leaves a legacy of working hard and being financially responsible. He was a person of integrity and although he did not offer advice often, many sought out his advice on a variety of subjects. He was also known for being very frugal but only for things for himself. Privately, he was very generous to so many others. Tom loved the outdoors and enjoyed his garden as well as fishing and hunting. Tom also loved seeing his grandchildren and great grandchildren tremendously and being around the “kids” always brought a smile to his face in his later years. 

At his request there will be no traditional funeral service. A family burial ceremony will take place at the Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville, GA on a future date. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to one of his favorite charities: His Heart for Africa, run by his granddaughter Heather Teague. She started this Nonprofit in Uganda, Africa 10 years ago. Donations can be sent to His Heart For Africa at 4105 Chancellor Dr., Thompsons Station, TN. 37179. Send condolences to: Crsmith1959@yahoo.com.