Hoyt Robertson Smith

Mr. Hoyt Robertson Smith, age 102 of Jefferson, formerly of Nicholson died Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Athens Regional Medical Center. Mr. Smith was born in Nicholson to the late, George and Emma Robertson Smith. At the age of eleven, Mr. Smith lost his father leaving him to help his older brother and mother in raising the family by working on the farm and trapping. Mr. Smith volunteered to join the United States Army prior to the beginning of WW II and served for five years in the United States Army Air Corp.Mr. Smith worked in the construction industry, including his position as a project manager with the University of Georgia, where he retired in the mid 1970’s. Mr. Smith married Willometer “Meta” Sailors Smith in 1941 and remained married for 67 years until she passed away in 2008. Mr. Smith received a grant for the creation of the Nicholson Water Association, which he organized and managed for many years with his wife, Meta Smith. He served as a scout master for the Nicholson Boy Scout Troop 86 for five years; he received honorary staff member certificates from two Georgia governors: The Honorable George Busbee and the Honorable Joe Frank Harris. On Mr. Smith’s 100th birthday, the Mayor and City Council of Nicholson paused in their deliberations to congratulate Mr. Smith on his 100th birthday.Mr. Smith was a member of Nicholson United Methodist Church, where he worshiped and served the Lord Jesus Christ for many years, serving as a lay leader, administrative board chair, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, church treasurer, church trustee, pastor-parish relation committee, and lay delegate to the North Georgia Annual Conference. Mr. Smith embodies the Wesleyan spirit of holiness of heart, mind, and soul.Mr. and Mrs. Smith raised three children, the late, Latona “Toni” McGinnis, Delores “Dee” Wilson of Rock Springs, GA, and Robert “Bob” Smith of Braselton; two grandchildren, Mark McGinnis and Amy Wilson Macdonald; and five great grandchildren, Derrick Hammond, Emily Macdonald, Katie Macdonald, Alex Macdonald, and Jillian Haughey.Funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 14 at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Ivester officiating with the interment following in Howington Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday night from 6-8 PM.\r\n