Shirley Smith

Shirley Renee Smith, 63, of Conyers, GA passed from this life Sunday, March 12, 2017. A Memorial Service in celebration of Ms. Smith's life will be held Wednesday, March 15 at 1 p.m. at Scot Ward's Green Meadow Chapel. A native of Decatur, Georgia, Ms. Smith was a 1972 graduate of Columbia High School, where she played flute and was drum major of the marching band. She was a 1976 graduate of Jacksonville State University, earned a BSEd in Instrumental Music Education. There she was a member of The Marching Southerners for 5 years. Upon graduation, Ms. Smith worked several years as a music teacher and band director in Summerville, GA and Tarrant, AL. Ms. Smith was a 26-year employee of the State of Georgia. Among her several roles, she managed the Stone Mountain Railroad and the New Georgia Railroad. Most recently she served as an administrative assistant at the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission. Ms. Smith's talent and love of music lead to her involvement in several instrumental music organizations. Most notably, in 2004 she was a founder of Alliance Drum and Bugle Corps of Atlanta, a performing organization created with the intent to further music education while providing performers of all ages with an affordable drum corps experience. Prior to the creation of Alliance, Ms. Smith marched with the CorpVets (now Atlanta CV) senior Drum and Bugle Corps. Ms. Smith has been an active alumna of Jacksonville State University since her graduation. She has served as the president of the Atlanta Chapter of the JSU Alumni Association since 2011. In that year, the University awarded the Atlanta Chapter for its outstanding performance. Her leadership has produced great results in student recruitment, scholarship funds and public awareness of JSU in Alabama and Georgia. On a personal level, Ms. Smith is remembered as a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Everyone who knew her fondly remembers her as their cheerleader, confidant and relationship guardian. She bore witness to their life events, encouraged them in their trials and celebrated their joy. She was the rock of her family. In her circle of friends, she was the glue that held them together and the image of their closeness. Ms. Smith is survived by her sister, Joyce Smith Hodge, her niece, Marsha Hodge Potts, her nephew, Derrick (Michelle) Hodge, great-nieces and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Abner and Lucile Smith and her nephew, David Hodge, Jr. The family will receive visitors at Scot Ward Funeral Services on Tuesday, March 14 from 6 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to JSU Foundation (New Performance Hall) Rock House, 700 Pelham Road North, Jacksonville, AL 36265. Condolences may be submitted on-line at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Shirley Smith

January 15, 1954 - March 12, 2017