Mrs. Ruby Virginia “Ginny” Lockhart Smith, 74, of Swainsboro, went to her heavenly home on Friday, March 3, 2023, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro following an extended illness. Funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at First United Methodist Church in Swainsboro with Rev. David Unkles officiating. Mrs. Smith will lie in state one hour prior to service. Interment will follow in Swainsboro City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Smith home at 214 North Racetrack St, Swainsboro, from Monday, March 6, at 12 p.m. until 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 8. Mrs. Smith will lie in state at her home during this time. The family welcomes friends, morning, afternoon, and night until the porch light is out.
Pallbearers will be Wessyn Willoughby, Torpin Smith, Jordan Hooks, Pratt Mathews, Jacob Prine, Jeff Flemister, Jarrod Mimmie, Drew Mimmie, Ennis Bragg, Jr., Ira Bragg, Ivey Smith, Taylor Smith, Colby Smith, Mason Smith, Jr., and Ben Smith.
Mrs. Smith was born December 23, 1948, in Tennille, to William Henry Lockhart, Sr. and Mary Ellen Sheram Lockhart. Mrs. Ginny graduated from Washington County High School in 1966. She continued her education at South Georgia College, where she earned her associate degree in June 1968. Ginny then pursued her passion for education by earning her bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Georgia Southern College in June 1970. She continued her education and received her master's in education degree with a concentration in reading from Georgia Southern University in December 2002, becoming a proud "double eagle." Ginny devoted 40 years of her life to teaching at Emanuel County Schools, where she was a beloved teacher of fourth grade, first grade, and kindergarten. She was an exceptional educator who inspired her students to learn and grow. Her passion for education even inspired her daughter to follow in her footsteps. Ginny received the Teacher of the Year award and believed that teaching was her true calling. Aside from her dedication to education, Ginny was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church. She sang with the chancel choir, served on the mission's committee, and was the past president of the Methodist Women's Group. Ginny spent her summers teaching Vacation Bible School and mentoring the youth group. She traveled on mission trips to Belize, the Choctaw Indian Reservation, and Honduras, using her love of teaching to minister to local children about the love of Jesus. Gardening was Ginny's passion, and she was a member of the Seedling Garden Club for 30 years. She won numerous awards in flower shows during Pine Tree Festival week, including the Joyce Harrison Award and multiple design and horticultural awards. For the past decade, she and Yonna Bailey placed "Yard of the Month" signs in the winners' yards. She was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, DAR, UDC, and the President of the Leroy Williams Sunday School Class for ten years. Ginny loved hosting gatherings at her home on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, surrounded by family and friends. She opened her home to many bridal showers and events, including her son's and daughter's wedding receptions. Her southern home was always filled with love and treasures from local estate sales. Ginny was a "Southern Belle." Beginning in 1970, Ginny fell in love with NASCAR racing. Her favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt, Sr. During the late 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, she attended many NASCAR races at Daytona, Atlanta, and Charlotte, where she rooted for Dale. Her first-grade classroom was filled with NASCAR racing items, such as an old NASCAR tire in the center of the room that she used as a media center. When Dale passed away at Daytona, her interest in NASCAR racing ended. Ginny loved spending time with her family and enjoyed camping with her husband and children, traveling to all 48 states in their fifth wheel for 46 years. Ginny picked out and purchased their first 23-foot travel trailer, and over the next 46 years, she picked out her next four campers. Her favorite location for camping was Winfield Federal Campgrounds at Clarke Hill Lake, where she enjoyed riding with Dess on their jet skis. In her early years, she loved to water ski. She was always present at her grandchildren's dance and cheer competitions, football games, award ceremonies, pageants, and wrestling matches. She was affectionately known as "G" and was loved by all who knew her. In December 2020, Ginny and Dess celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by spending two nights in the same chalet in Gatlinburg that they spent their honeymoon in December 1970, and their 25th anniversary in December 1995. She lived a life full of love, service, and dedication, and her legacy will continue to inspire us all. Mrs. Smith is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alice Anne Lockhart Flemister; and brother, William Henry Lockhart, Jr.
Survivors include her husband, DeSaussure Dugas “Dess” Smith III of Swainsboro; daughters, Mary Ellen Smith of Swainsboro and Anna Kate Smith (Kenneth) Willoughby of Canoochee; sons, DeSaussure Dugas “Dessie” (Terri) Smith IV of Swainsboro and Richard Torpin (Kaytee) Smith, II of Garner, N.C.; grandchildren, Nicole (Jacob) Prine, Jordan (Samantha) Hooks, Sally (Pratt) Mathews, Smith Willoughby, Wessyn Willoughby, and Torpin Smith; great-grandchildren, Hadley Prine, Joe Prine, Ansley Prine, Hollis Brannen, Harden Hooks, Hudson Mathews, and Sarah Mathews; many brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to the First United Methodist Church Missions Committee or the First United Methodist Church UMW group located at 319 W Main Street, Swainsboro, GA 30401.
Ginny will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and community.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of arrangements.
