Rev. Billy Joe Smith, 75, of Ringgold, died on Monday, December 25, 2006 in a local hospital.
A native of Soddy Daisy, Tn., he had spent most of his life in the north Georgia area and served as pastor of Unity Baptist Church for more than 40 years. He also served as President of Unity Christian School from 1971 - 1990 and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Rev. Smith worked for many years at Chattanooga Armature Works, and served as a bus driver for Hamilton and Catoosa County School Systems.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Bertha Brumley Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Smith; son, B.J. Smith, Chattanooga; grandson, Tavner Smith, Greeneville, S.C.; sister, Polly Grant, Paducah, Ky.; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Unity Baptist Church, 2010 Mack Smith Road, with Commissioner Curtis Adams, Rev. Ron Bishop, Rev. Mike Steele, and Rev. Larry Wiedenbenner officiating. Interment will follow in Burning Bush Baptist Church Cemetery, Ringgold.
Kevin Best, Jim Capps, Bobby Carpenter, Ken Davis, Wes Epperson, Clayton McCain & Carl Zender, all deacons of Unity Baptist Church, will serve as pallbearers.
Visit www.lane-southcrestchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.