James Edward Smith, formerly of West Point, GA, loving father to Kathy and Janet, passed away peacefully at home in Jacksonville, AL, December 21, 2020 at the age of 90. Ed was preceded in life by his wife of 68 years, Betty Johnson Smith.

Ed devoted his life to his family, church and community. He served as a deacon and elder to the First Christian Church of West Point which later became known as Spring Road Christian Church where he and Betty spent many years serving in multiple roles. Ed's career spanned 60+ years in the textile industry working for West Point Pepperell, Callaway Chemicals, BAC Textiles, and finishing his career at the age of 82 with MFH Textiles.

When his daughters were younger and in school, he was known to many of their friends as "Flashlight Ed" as an active volunteer to the Valley Teen Club or as "Captain Ed" as the President of the Athletic Club at Springwood School. He was a member of the Jaycees and an advisor to their Junior Achievement Program. Until recently, Ed enjoyed playing golf with his daughters and looked forward to his bi-annual fishing trips to Florida with his son-in-law, grandsons and great grandson.

Ed leaves behind two daughters, Kathy Chamberlin (Fayetteville, GA) and Janet/Ricky Moore (Jacksonville,AL), four grandchildren Fred Chamberlin/Beth Edwards (LaGrange, GA), Jamie Moore (Jacksonville, AL), Dee/Richard Epton (Williamson, GA) and Rick/Lana Moore (Elmore, AL), three great grandchildren Joshua Epton (Williamson, GA), Jackson Moore (Elmore, AL), and Bennett Moore (Elmore, AL), and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will celebrate Ed's life Saturday, December 26, at Bluffton Funeral Home in Lanett, AL with a viewing at 1:00 EST followed by services in the chapel at 2:30 lead by Rev. David Bradshaw with internment to immediately follow at Marseilles Cemetery in West Point, GA.

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