MR. LEWIS RICHARD “RICKY” SMITH, age 65, of Eastman, GA, died Friday, June 13, 2025, at his residence.
MR. LEWIS RICHARD “RICKY” SMITH, age 65, of Eastman, GA, died Friday, June 13, 2025, at his residence.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00AM Monday, June 16, at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, with Rev. Douglas Holder officiating.
Ricky was born in Alma, GA on May 18, 1960, and was of the Christian Faith. He attended Bacon County High School and soon afterward worked as a truck driver for several years. He later graduated from the Tifton Police Academy and began his law enforcement career with the Nicholls, GA Police Department. Over the years, he worked as a police officer for several departments including, Uvalda, Glenwood, Twin City, Ludowici, and Nicholls, and was the Chief of Police at several departments during his career. He loved racing, fishing, working on race cars, and was a former dirt track racecar driver. He was a beloved Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather and Uncle and will be forever missed by his family. Ricky was preceded in death by his Father, Lewis Smith, Sr., Stepfather, Newton Lamar Sanders, Son, Officer Timothy “Tim” Smith, and Granddaughter, Laydon Smith.
He is survived by his Wife – Della Bizzell-Smith of Eastman, GA; Daughter – Samantha Smith of Eastman, GA; Sons – Kelly Ray Smith (Jill) of Waycross, GA and Jeffrey Smith (Amber) of Nicholls, GA; Step-Son – Dusty Bizzell of Baxley, GA; Grandchildren – Landon Smith, Lander Smith, Madison Smith, Jacob Goolsby, Jasper Smith, Sawyer Smith, Colt Smith, Walker Smith, Emilie Palmer, Ethan Smith, Ella Smith, and Maxx Bizzell; Mother – Rita Thomas Sanders of Eastman, GA; Sisters – LaRita S. Holder (Douglas) of Eastman, GA, Ginny S. Bentley (Paul) of Hawkinsville, GA, and Bridget S. Barlow (Tony) of Danville, GA; Step-Mother – Inell Smith of Douglas, GA; Aunts and Uncles – Barbara Ann Grantham, Bernard Thomas (Audrey), Lynette Spell (Reiduis), Lawanda Boatwright (Van), Annette Thomas, and Susan Smith; Several Nieces and Nephews, and his faithful canine companions, Ollie and Lucy.
The family may be contacted at the Smith residence, 1126 Ben Giddens Rd., Eastman, GA. In addition to flowers, the family requests contributions to the Food Bank at Lakeside Church, 1417 Cochran Hwy, Eastman, GA 31023.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.