Durden-Hudson Funeral Directors announces the death of Mr. Paul Mark “Smitty” Smith, age 53, of Kite, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. Funeral services will be private, and family appreciates your honoring their wishes at this time. A Celebration of Life Service is being planned for a later date when COVID permits. There will be a walk-thru visitation open to the public, Saturday, September 18, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Peebles-Curry Memorial Chapel. Due to COVID, the family will not be present. Although not required, the family requests that masks be worn for the health and protection of everyone.
Pallbearers are Brad Hooks, Doc Claxton Jr., Brandon Claxton, Brandon Page, Glenn Hendrix, Brian Harper, Billy Cavanah, M. L. Gay, Paul Purvis and Chris Chappell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bryan Cooper, Tracy Hooks, Frank Nasworthy Jr., B. A. Watkins, Chad Burkhalter, Burl Page, Trojan Harrison, Billy Newsome, Mike Harrison, and Marc Collins.
Mark “Smitty” was born April 15, 1968, in Augusta, to James Wendell “Wendy” and Patricia Ann Donnelly Smith, and was a 1986 graduate of DEA (David Emanuel Academy). He was Owner/Operator of Better Built Buildings Inc. located in Kite. Mark was larger than life. He never met a stranger and loved people of all ages. One way you knew you were special to him was that he gave you a name other than the one your Mama gave you; Bullish, Little Snapper, Pee-Wee, Sprout, Copper, Monk-Monk, Toot-Toot, and Sweet Pea are examples. One of Mark’s greatest pleasures was sharing his culinary talent with a crowd. The size of a “Pinetucky Gathering” at his cook-house might range from 10 to 40 on any given evening. Mark delighted in entertaining with tall tales around the grill or the fryer, cooking wildlife he killed, fish he caught, or quite often, a good cut of beef. The food was great, but the fellowship, fun, laughter, and love was PRICELESS!! If he wasn’t at home cooking, you might find him at Swainsboro Raceway, Thomas Jefferson Academy, in conjunction with Brad Hooks, the rehearsal dinner or reception of a friend’s child, or the Annual Christmas Dinner for South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. Mark truly was at home in the Altamaha River or on a pond wetting his hook and reeling in the catch. He had been a member of Double Eagle Hunting Club, Emanuel County Quality Game Management, and the Emanuel County Sportsman’s Club. Mark utilized the marksmanship skill he developed hunting deer, turkey, quail, and rabbits as he coached the inaugural Skeet Shooting Team at Thomas Jefferson Academy. Another of Mark’s favorite past-times was sharing words of wisdom and giving invaluable advice to others as they travelled many miles of dirt roads, usually at night. He was a hard-working entrepreneur and Head Professor at Better Built University, but he didn’t mind sharing with those in need. Mark was generous, caring, and always had a smile. He lived life to the fullest and died with few regrets. Mark was a member of the Swainsboro First Baptist Church. Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his parents; and paternal grandmother, Grace C. Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Shelli Sweat Smith of Kite; daughters, Alivia Ann Smith and Graci-Rae Smith, both of Kite; son, Jakob Dalton Smith of Kite; sister, Polly Ann Smith of Lyons; mother and father-in-law, Ronny and Patricia Sweat of Swainsboro; special cousins, Linda Whitfield, Blake Whitfield, and Blair W. Heaton (Travis); nephews, Ben Murdock and Wade Murdock; aunt, Gail McRae; and numerous other extend family members.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Shriners Hospital
for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or online at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org.
Durden-Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.
