James Buford Smith

James B. Smith, 82, of Macon, died Tuesday, November 4, 2025, after several years of declining health. A private memorial service will be held with Chaplain Brad Blackmon officiating. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, McRae, GA.

The son of the late Buford and Thelma Smith of Jacksonville, FL, Mr. Smith's career included General Motors and Lockheed GA Corp. in Atlanta before relocating to Warner Robins and completing his career at Robins Air Force Base. He also served in the Air Force. Mr. Smith was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, Milledgeville, GA. He and Grace lived at Lake Sinclair for ten years until his health began to decline, and they moved to Macon. He was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur Roy Smith, and sisters, Ella Jane Acosta and Sylvia Bell.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Grace Winn Smith of Macon, with whom he celebrated 45 years of marriage on October 17. Also surviving is his stepdaughter, Jennifer Sutton Blackwell (Keith) and grandchildren, Winn Minter and Sutton Minter of Bolingbroke; his daughter, Charisse Abernathy (Trent) of Rome, GA; grandchildren, Taylor Proctor (Shannon) of Villa Rica, GA and Tabitha Hill (Chris) of Gadsden, AL; great-grandchildren, Ezra Proctor, Nora Proctor, Rhodes Hill and Collins Hill; and sister, Betty Box of Springhill, FL.

As a condolence, contributions may be made to Rob's Place LLC, 109 Martin Luther King Dr., Forsyth, GA 31029. They may also be reached at 478-787-5790 or robsplaceforsyth@gmail.com.