Tommie Gene Smith

Tommie Gene Smith, 78, of Dawsonville died Thursday May 13, 2010 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a short illness.
Born January 9, 1932 in Hall County to the late Eston and Beulah Smith, he had lived in Dawson County for a total of 36 years. He was a graduate of Clermont High School and Truett McConnell College after which he continued his studies at Mercer. Tommie Gene enjoyed a career as a barber that lasted over 50 years. He formerly owned Beachwood Barber Shop in Athens after which along with his wife owned and operated Dawsonville Barber Shop for 25 years. Mr. Smith was ordained into the Baptist ministry in 1951 and had pastored numerous churches including the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville, Trinity Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church where he was also a member. He carried a devoted love for his family and was an avid racing fan. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Claressia Bonnette, Snowdell Cochran, Mae Chambers, and brother D. C. Smith.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Ethel Elliott Smith, Dawsonville; brother and sister in law, Dean and Sarah Smith, Gainesville; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Sunday May 16, 2010 at 3 o’clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Glenn Byrd and Rev. Steve Baker will officiate. Interment will follow in Alta Vista Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 3 until 5 and 7 until 9 at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to www.beardenfuneralhome.com.
Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.

Posted on Fri, May 14, 2010 by Ted Bearden

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9 comments (Add your own)

1. Vince Barnett wrote:: In everyones life The Lord places mentors of great faith if you are open to seeing them and listening to them. Today a great Warrior of the faith has been promoted. Tommie Gene Smith of Dawsonville Georgia whose mother was told he would never live because he was too small. His mom of great faith said "oh no he is no...t going to die cause the Lord has shown me he will be a man of the Word. Called to preach at around 17 he was just such a man. A man of great faith and a great legacy of following the Lord regardlesss of the cost and persecution. He and his wonderful wife Ethel were mine and Regina's mentors and second set of parents. he taught me the living word through his living faith! I love you Tommie Gene and Ethel Smith. Will see you again at the Lords appointed time. Rest in peace!
Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 8:11 PM
2. Holly Huber wrote:: Mrs. Ethel,

You probably don't remember me, but I helped waitress years ago at little Amicalola Restaurant next to the lodge. I was pregnant with my son Michael (who is now almost 21!!). You and your husband came in to Buddy and Rose's establishment frequently, and you were always so friendly. My husband Crist had his hair cut a few times at Tommie's shop. You were always such a lovely lady...reminded me of my own lovely mother! My thoughts are with you at this time in your loss.

Holly Huber
Fourth Grade Teacher, Kilough Elementary School
Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 11:21 PM
3. Lanelle Martin Romines wrote:: Dear Family,
Please know that my thoughts are with each of you in this sad time. May God give you His peace that only He can give.
You don't know me, but we are related through Tommie's 2x great grandfather, Christopher Columbus Wofford. He and my great grandmother, Nancy Caroline Wofford Glaze were siblings.
My Family Tree Program relationship calculator shows that Tommie and I are 3rd cousins, once removed, which I assume means 4th cousins. I know that's not close kin but as long as there is blood kin, I claim it.
I have been doing genealogy on my family lines for many years and in due time would enjoy hearing from any of the family. I am a native of Hall Co., GA but have lived in TN since 1975. All of my siblings are still in the Hall Co., GA area.
God bless each and every one of you.
Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 6:58 AM
4. Nona (Sister) Brouillette (Cleveland's niece) wrote:: We were so sadden about Tommie. I can remember all of you when we visited Aunt Claressia and Uncle Cleveland.
I wish you the very best and we know Tommie is at peace.

Lots of love and support.

Sister
Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 9:42 AM
5. Burton Bonnette wrote:: My deepest condolences for your loss, to all your family. I stil remember Tommie, from many years ago, when I visited with Uncle Cleveland and Aunt Claressia. God be with you all.
Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 11:37 AM
6. A.W. and Bobbie Stover wrote:: It was our honor to call Tommie Gene our friend. He was a big man with a big heart,
full of love and generosity. His love for God, family, friends and neighbors was always
evident. We will miss him. Ethel, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Bobbie and A.W. Stover
Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 12:53 PM
7. Allison Looper Grace wrote:: Mr. Tommie was there when I accepted Christ as my Saviour. He also baptised me into the holy spirit of the hosts. I love him as a daughter to their uncle and know he is in the presence of the LORD OUR GOD, which he spoke of very often. Bless you Ethel, because behind every strong man stands a good woman. I have loved you since the first day we met: your loving smile, your accepting eyes, and your soul which made me want to find Jesus. If Jesus walked among us today, he would choose you as the vessel; you are that kind and good and sweet! Thank you both so much for the gifts of the LORD; can't nobody say it eloquent enough, but you were there, you spent the time, and some day I hope that I can be just half as good as you in leading others in the righteous path. GOD BLESS BOTH OF YOU and THANK YOU for helping me to find the LORD at the tender age of 9. When Jesus came into my heart, Tommie said(I think--as you are well aware, when you ask for Jesus, things get foggy), LORD JUST ACCEPT OUR DAUGHTER INTO THY KINGDOM.

I can't say much more than that. Tommie prayed and stayed with me my whole life. I hope that I can be one half of the beacon that both of you have been to me.

Thank You and may the LORD bless,

Allison
Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 4:56 PM
8. Rebecca Chester Gorski wrote:: I just wanted to thank you, to you and Tommie Gene for all you have done for me and my family over all the years, there are not enough thank yous and I love you's to cover all that you two have done for us or to cover all the important events that you two were there to stand by us. You were there when i was growing up and should me the person that I wanted to grow up and be, you were there at the revival service when I gave my heart to Jesus and you were there when I was Baptized into the church, you were there to perform my wedding and when Jesus called mom home you were there. All my memories are filled with the two of you. If I ever need a person to talk to I always knew that there was a barber shop chair waiting where I could go and find a friend that help to light the way and point me in the direction that Jesus would have me go. You were my mom's best friend and a second mom to Samantha and me, I know that words could never say how much you two have meant to us, so I will just say thank you for a lifetime of happy memories, and for being the living example of the christian I hope that I can be. I LOVE YOU ! Becky and Robert
Sun, May 16, 2010 @ 2:35 PM
9. Beverly Bonnette Andersen, Lyle Andersen and Vlada wrote:: My heart has a big hole in it. A hole that will never be filled. Tommie, you were my "big brother," and Ethel, you are my big sister and have been like a mom ("Ma?") to me for many, many years. How many tears have I shed over the phone? How many times have I called Tommie for advice? I know he thought that I never listened to him but I DID put much weight into his advice (a lot more than I would ever admit to him!!!). I have loved you both for my entire life and now a half of you is gone. You both have always, always been there for me.

When Mom went on to heaven in 1977 my life was turned upside down. Daddy was totally lost without the one and only love of his life. You both were always there, urging us to go on, loving us and praying for us.

When I bought my first new car and it wasn't a Ford, I thought Tommie was going to have a stroke!!! (I won't repeat the things he said about me buying anything but FORD.) Then I bought another non-Ford then another.....He was totally disgusted with me. For a time, I thought he would refuse to ever ride with me but he finally did. Then one day, I called him up and we went and I bought a Ford Explorer. It was, "the best little buggy on the road!!!" He loved my "little buggy," as he always called it.

Then the dreaded night came that I had to call him and tell him I had crashed my little buggy into my gargage!!! You know the story, and again, he came to my rescue. (and no, I wasn't drunk on wine). He found a towing company and made sure I was OK and that the insurance company was taking care of me.. I had to get another Explorer but it was never as great as my first one. The first one was extra special because my Uncle Tommie had helped to pick it out.

I could write a book about Tommie, Ethel and their love for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I guess I won't know all the prayers they sent up to heaven for me to come back to the Lord until I get to heaven. I know my mama and daddy had them on their knees many, many times. PRAISE GOD FOR NOT GIVING UP ON ME!!!

Tommie, as I said Thursday night, "I LOVE YOU!" What I wanted to say, and couldn't get it out was, "tell Momma and Daddy that I will be there soon and that they have a wonderful son-in-law and granddaughter that will be there too. What a reunion you all must be having!!!

Until then, rest in peace my sweet, sweet Uncle Tommie. I love you so much and I'll take of Ma the best that I can.

Bev
Tue, May 18, 2010 @ 12:50 AM

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