Frederick “Rick” Smith, 80, was a resident of Carrollton for fifty years. He journeyed to heaven from his home on December 4, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends. Rick was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

At a very early age, Rick chose to become a follower of Jesus. He adopted the lifestyle of Christ because He was his Lord and Savior. He saw and met the needs of those around him by serving others the best he could. Rick loved and cared in a quiet manner as he went about doing good without selfishness. He served with joy, helping others have better lives. There is no doubt that when Rick reached the gates of heaven, he heard these words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Rick was born and raised in Estill, South Carolina. He served in the Army National Guard from 1963 to 1970. He spent most of his career at Southern Bell and continued to work as a private contractor after retirement. He loved his work family and continued to keep in touch with them.

Rick was a devoted member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton. He served as a deacon all his adult life and honored that position with a faithful servant’s heart. His other ministries at Tabernacle included Royal Ambassadors, Men’s Ministry Team, Transportation Team, and Security Team. Most recently, Rick was pleased to be a volunteer at Tabernacle’s Life Center. He enjoyed greeting people and encouraging those in need. Rick performed many acts of service with a joyful heart to everyone he served.

Rick was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He spent his life loving and taking care of his family. His children and grandchildren were the delights of his life. He lived by Christian example. As a mentor and a friend to many, Rick was a man of integrity. He gave to others while taking little in life for himself.

Rick leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 57 years, Joyce Burke Smith. He was a much-loved father of Merrit Smith Cornett (Spencer) and Jason Frederick Smith (Becky). He is the adored grandfather of two granddaughters, Charlotte and Brenna Smith, and one grandson, Noah Cornett. He is also survived by his brother, Stephen Smith (Fay), and multiple nieces and nephews, as Rick was one of eight children. He was the son of the late Henry Thomas Smith and Irene Long Smith.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, with Dr. Stephen Allen and Mrs. Scottie Jennings officiating. Interment will follow in Carroll Memory Gardens, with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Jason Smith, Steve Jennings, Josh Stovall, Jay Lamber, James Nelson, and Dan Hutcheson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home, 1312 S. Park Street, Carrollton, Georgia, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

Flowers are welcome, but those who desire may make memorial contributions in Rick’s name to:

Tabernacle Baptist Church
150 Tabernacle Drive, Carrollton, GA 30117
www.tabernacle.org
or
CURE Childhood Cancer
200 Ashford Center North, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30338
www.curechildhoodcancer.org

Messages of condolences can be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.