Mr. Smith was born in Buckhannon, W.V. on November 5, 1932, son of the late Olien Leslie Smith and Mildred Pauline Bennett Smith. He was a graduate of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and was inducted into the US Army after graduation. After being discharged, he was employed with the US Naval Shipyard in Norfolk, Va. He was one of the first employed by the newly established Nuclear Division in charge of Nuclear Safety. He later moved to Atlanta, Ga. and retired from The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. Even later he was employed with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. as a Nuclear Safety Consultant. Prior moving to Calhoun, he lived in Big Canoe for 21 years and was an avid golfer.
Survivors include his wife, Claudine Black Smith of Calhoun, to whom he was married for 26 years; a son, Leslie Charles Smith, Jr. of Chesapeake, Va.; a step-daughter, Danette Seward and her husband Kevin of China; a step-son, Davin Lewis of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Samantha, C.J., Megan, Rachael, Mary, and Matthew; a sister-in-law, Sandy Reese and her husband Gary of Calhoun; and two brothers-in-law, Billy Black of Calhoun, and Jim Black and his wife Tracey of Calhoun. Nieces and nephews and other relatives also survive.
Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Leslie Charles Smith, Sr. were held Saturday, January 5 at 4 p.m. from the chapel of Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, with Rev. Eddie Brannon, Leslie Charles Smith, Jr., and Carl Deane officiating. Music was arranged by Rebecca Lay Owen. Interment followed in Fain Cemetery.
The family requests flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made to Tapestry Hospice, 1091 Red Bud Road NE, Calhoun, GA 30701.
Condolences may be expressed and the guest book signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, a legacy of compassion and care, is in charge of funeral arrangements.