Rickey Lee Smith was born on Aug. 10, 1956, in Fort Oglethorpe and passed suddenly on Aug. 7, 2021 in Folkston. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Teresa Smith; his daughter, Kristina Smith-Murray; his son, Andrew Smith, his mother; Wanda Mick; two brothers; Wesley G. Smith, Jr. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Ronnie (Kay) Smith of Jasper, Tennessee; and two sisters, Connie Stephas of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Donna Sopkowiak of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Rickey also had many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and his loving cattle dog, Emma, that he leaves behind.
He is preceded in death by his father, Wesley G. Smith, Sr., and two brothers, Timothy Smith and Michael Smith.
Rickey was born and raised in Chattanooga and later moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he met his wife, became captain with the North Charleston Fire Department and later became a shipyard machinist for the Department of Defense at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. They migrated to Folkston in the 1990s and made it their home. He loved the tight-knit community and charm of the town.
After moving to Georgia, he worked as a machinist at Kings Bay Naval Base and NAS Jax and later became a boilermaker superintendent, a job that took him all over the country.
Rickey loved restoring cars and entering classic car shows. Not a day went by that he wasn’t working to rebuild or restore something. Rickey also enjoyed his horses and served as president of the Charlton County Saddle Club for several years.
The family will receive friends during visitation 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home in Folkston. There will be a graveside service at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 at Sardis Cemetery in Folkston.
Due to COVID-19, the family would like to ask all attendees to please follow the rules of social distancing and face masks are recommended at the service. Also, anyone who does not feel comfortable with attending the service, the family would like you to know they understand and covet your prayers.
Condolences may be expressed by signing the guest registry at www.shepardfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shepard-Roberson Funeral Home, 526 Oakwood St., Folkston, GA 31537.