William Rodger Smith, age 85, of Carrollton, GA, left this earth on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Rodger, as he was known to his family and friends, was born in Lake Village, AR on January 6, 1934, the son of the late William Arling Smith and Lola Rogers Smith of McGee, AR.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Betty Sue Smith, sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Bo Denton of Conway, AR; daughters Sidra McWhorter (Johnny); Maria Smith, Robyn Hicks (Clayton) and son Evan Porter Smith; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Mr. Smith, as he was known to his students, attended Hendrix College where he pledged Sigma Chi and earned a degree in both History and English. He earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and went on to earn a Masters of History from Georgia State University.

Rodger deeply loved the Lord, his family, and his country. Those that knew him best described him as a man that was committed to doing what was right and true. As a member of the First Baptist Church in Carrollton, he served as a Sunday School teacher where his Sunday school classmates described him as their favorite and most engaging facilitator.

Rodger Smith was always teaching, whether it was the thousands of students he taught over the years through the Atlanta Public School System, his loving family members, or his Sunday School class, he always found a way to intertwine current events with historical events to teach a valuable lesson. His presence, keen intellect and insightfulness will be missed by all.

Visitation will be Friday, October 18, 2019 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Almon Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton; Rev. Steve Davis will preside along with music by Greg Hendrix and George Mann.

The family has requested that the First Baptist Church Generations class sit together as a group during the Celebration of Life Saturday.

Inurnment will be in Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Unadilla, Georgia at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Open Hands, P.O. Box 1818, Carrollton, Georgia 30112 or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1977, Carrollton, Georgia 30112.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.