Earl Smith was a successful businessman, community leader and philanthropist. But his legacy as the first Republican county leader in modern times can be appreciated more broadly as he laid a foundation for transportation and water projects of regional importance as Cobb County rapidly began its transition from sleepy suburb to an urban center. He died Tuesday, Jan. 30. Smith was 93.
A celebration of life service will be held Monday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m. at Marietta's Eastside Baptist Church, where Smith and his wife, Rachel, were founding members. A private burial service will follow.
One of eight children of sharecroppers in rural Whitfield County, Smith "wanted to get stuff done," said Sam Olens, who was chairman of the Cobb County Commission from 2002 to 2010.
Smith never sought elected office until he was voted in as chairman of the Cobb County Commission in 1984 in a Republican sweep of Atlanta's burgeoning northern suburbs attributed, at least in part, to the popularity of President Ronald Reagan.
Read more about Earl Smith on ajc.com
Funeral Home Information
Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home
180 Church Street NE
Marietta, GA
30060
https://www.mayeswarddobbins.com/?utm_campaign=legacytraffic&utm_source=legacy&utm_medium=referral
