Otis E. Smith, Iii

Otis E. Smith, III, 88, formerly of Stone Mountain, devoted husband to Anita Vickery Smith, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Born in Hogansville, he was the son of the late O.E. and Evelyn Sims Smith and was raised in Grantville. In 1954, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Korea. After discharge, he attended and graduated from LaGrange College, where he met Anita, through an introduction from his best friend, the late Ernest Lamar Fetner. They married in 1961 and moved to Decatur. In 1972, Otis left his position as Vice President of the Loan Department at Decatur Federal Savings and Loan to start his own business. He, along with his son Ed, designed and built premium custom homes in the Atlanta area; he also served a term as President of the Georgia Home Builders Association. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing tomatoes and beans, collecting knives and researching his family genealogy.

Otis never met a stranger and in the last chapter of his life, relocated with Anita to Waterstone on Augusta in Greenville, SC. He quickly became a much-loved member of the community. He made many new friends, attended and led devotionals, and created a community garden in the courtyard for all to enjoy.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, he is survived by his children, Sandra "Sandy" Smith, son-in-law Van Miller, William Edward "Ed" Smith, daughter-in-law Ann Marie Smith; three beloved grandsons, William "Will" Smith, Zachary "Zack" Smith, and Miller Smith; his brother, Charles W. Smith, and his wife, Jeannie.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. at Grantville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association at www.cmtausa.org/otis.

Condolences may be expressed at www.mckibbenfuneralhome.com

Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home of Hogansville is in charge of arrangements.