Wayne Taylor "Smitty" "Tater" Smith

McDuffie County

Wayne Taylor Smith "Smitty" "Tater", 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 6, 2023.  Wayne was born in Washington, Georgia, but lived in Thomson, Georgia all his life.

He graduated from Thomson High School, earned an Associates of Arts degree from Middle Georgia, graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor's in Business Administration Degree and served 6 years in the Army National Guard in Thomson. He was a member of the Men's Outreach Class of First Baptist Church of Thomson. Wayne was an insurance salesman, a surveyor, a principal, a teacher, a boys and girls basketball coach at Stapleton Academy and Chief Tax Assessor for McDuffie County.  He loved camping, fishing, swimming and riding around on the pontoon at the lake.  Wayne loved Folly Beach, Tybee Island and Daytona Beach.  He followed the Atlanta Braves and loved the Georgia Bulldogs.  Woof!  Woof!

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, A. C. Taylor Smith and Margaret Wilson Smith; his sister, Marcia Harrison and his brother George A. Smith.  He is survived by his devoted wife, Peggy Richerson Poole Smith; cousins, Mike Lightfoot, Susan Chambers (Bing); nieces, Donna Oglesby, Rhonda Moss (Tracy) Rochelle Harrison and Teresa Smith (Richard); step-children, Amy Downing (Doug), Natalie Poole Collins (Steve); five grandchildren, four great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home, 799 Cobbham Road, Thomson, Georgia; His Graveside Service will be held at Savannah Valley Memorial Gardens, Thomson, Georgia on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  Please visit www.beggsfuneralhome.net to sign the family's personal guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to:  the American Heart Association, Greater Southeast Affiliate, P. O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX  75284-0692; heart.org/donate or 800-242-8721 or the Parkinson's Foundation online or by mail at www.parkinson.org or Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Ste. 800, Miami, FL  33131.

The family has asked that you feel free to dress casual for the visitation and the service and if you like, wear your favorite Bulldog attire.

Thanks to Dr. Wiley and Family Care Group, and for the past year, Promedica Hospice, Sharon, Rick, Liz and Melinda.

Beggs Funeral Home, Thomson, Georgia is honored to serve the family of Wayne Taylor Smith "Smitty" "Tater".