Rev. Herschel Edward Smith, age 86, of Pearson, Georgia passed away Thursday morning, March 27, 2025 at Coffee Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.
Rev. Smith was born Monday, August 8, 1938 in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late Marcus and Mabel Grantham Smith. He was a proud United States Army veteran. He accepted the Lord into his heart and life as a young man and answered the call into ministry at the age of 32. He went on to pastor several Holiness churches in South Georgia during his 54 year ministry. While pastoring churches, he also spent 40 years working for Swift in Douglas (now known as Pilgrim’s). Following his retirement from Swift, he went on to work for Fleetwood Manufacturing where he also retired. Rev. Smith was blessed to have two wives that were devoted to him and the Lord during the course of his ministry. His first wife, the late Hazel Carolyn Young Smith, stood by him in ministry for 40 years before her passing in 2002. Following her passing, God placed his second wife, Margaret Guthrie Smith, in his life to help him carry on his ministry, and enjoy his later years.
Rev. Smith is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Margaret Guthrie Smith; stepson, Andy Harper and wife Teresa of Pearson, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Paula Harper of Douglas, Georgia; sister, Charlene Foster and husband Steve; 4 sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Smith, Janice Smith all of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Margaret Ring of Ocilla, Georgia and Latrelle Dickens of Canton, Georgia; 8 grandchildren: Tanner Harper, Bailey Harper, Walker Harper, Haley Varnell and husband Tommy, Hatch Harper, Kevin Rich, Landon Hutchinson and wife Akela, Taylor Garrell; 2 great-grandchildren: Cohen Hutchinson and Amelia Garrell; and a special niece, Regina Smith, special friends: D. Q. Pittman, Eddie Cribb both of Pearson, Georgia and Rudolph Merritt of Broxton, Georgia.
Along with his parents and first wife, Rev. Smith is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Teresa Smith; stepson, Tony Harper; 5 brothers: Marcus Smith, Milton Marcus Smith, Virgil Smith, Hubert Smith, Charles Smith; 2 sisters: Jessie Terzino, Dorothy Nell Tressler.
Rev. Smith’s family will receive friends on Saturday evening, March 29, 2025 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Ricketson Funeral Home chapel. His funeral will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2025 at The Calvary Holiness Campground with Rev. Kyle Taft and Rev. Mark Jordan officiating. Interment will follow in the New Corinth Calvary Holiness Church cemetery with Rev. Steve Gentry officiating.
Active pallbearers will include: Tanner Harper, Bailey Harper, Walker Harper, Bruce Spell, Johnny Selph, and Donald Stevens.
Honorary pallbearers will include: Ministers of the Calvary Holiness Association, Cody Johnson, Ashley Spell, and Grady Bennett.
Condolences, kind words, and fond memories may be left for Rev. Smith’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Rev. Smith’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc.