Emmett Raymond Smith

Emmett Raymond Smith, age 91, of Macon, died on Saturday, August 24, at Pine Pointe Hospice. A memorial service officiated by the Reverend Cass Ducharme will be held at Hart's at the Cupola on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Following the service, a reception will be held in The Cupola where family will welcome and greet friends. In honoring the renowned generous spirit of E. Raymond Smith, the family suggests acts of charity and generosity be offered in his memory.

E. Raymond Smith is survived by his wife, Helen Moye Smith, his two brothers Barney A. Smith, Sr. and Bobby Lee Smith, Sr., his children Camilla Smith Dawson (George), Toni Lincoln McCook (J.W., III), Lana Lee Hefner (Al), Daniel F. Lee, Jr. (Linda), his grandchildren, Irwin Frank Kern, IV (Natalia), Kathleen McCook Hofstadter (Bob), James W. McCook, IV, Britton Hefner Glynn (Aaron), Ashley A .Hefner (Catherine), Betsy Lee, Jamie Lee, Jeremy Lee (Brigette), his great grand children, Nora Camilla Kern, India Ava Kern, Alexander Frank Kern, Zachary Hofstadter, Vann, Ford, and Bray Hefner, Pearson and Ashlyn Glynn. Mr. Smith is also survived by his life long devoted friend, Martha Ivey James (Robert).

Mr. Smith was born in Roberta, GA, to Emmett Hill Smith and Nora Camilla Spillers Smith. As a very young man, E. Raymond Smith served in the United States Marine Corps. He was injured in a land mine explosion during WWII in the Pacific Theater and received a Purple Heart for his service to his country. He remained proud of his identity as a Marine and often said, "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

E. Raymond Smith was best known for his salesmanship. He was in the automobile business and owned multiple car dealerships in the middle Georgia area for four decades. His dealership on Macon's Emery Highway, Volkswagen Central, housed franchises for Volkswagen, AMC, Jeep, Subaru, Renault, and BMW. E. Raymond was an entrepreneur and investor with real estate holdings throughout Georgia. Making a win/win deal was his specialty. "The Big E," as he was called by friends, had a passion for community service, and for spontaneous and anonymous giving.

He especially enjoyed supporting the Macon Police Department and served as the Shield Club President for two terms. He was awarded Honorary Deputy of the Bibb County Sherriff's Department, and served on the Advisory Board of the Middle GA Area Planning and Development Commission. He also served on the Staff for Governor Herman Talmadge.

"Smitty", as he was affectionately called by his family, was an adventurer and an avid big game hunter. He was awarded Field and Stream Big Game Honor Badges for his trophy specimens of a Moose, a Grizzly Bear, and a Dall sheep ram. His trophy Polar Bear can be seen today at the Museum of Arts and Sciences.

In 1971, E. Raymond Smith served as President and Chairman of Gold Platter Services, Inc. of Macon. Mr. Smith and world known popular music entertainer, James Brown, were friends and partners in creating a business for a franchise chain of restaurants under the name of James Brown's Gold Platter featuring Soul Food.

In the last years of his life in spite of Alzheimer's disease, E. Raymond Smith continued to delight in greeting people with a smile and a handshake, calling them by name; remembering a time on the golf course, a hunt, a car deal, some special time shared. To his friends and his family E. Raymond Smith is a legend never to be forgotten.

Register online at www.hartsmort.com.

Hart's Mortuary and Crematory at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.