Mr. Lewis Eugene "Gene" Smith, 87 of Meldrim, GA, passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the Bryan County Health and Rehab Center in Richmond Hill, GA.

Gene was born on April 11, 1934 in Chatham County, GA to the late Lewis D. Smith and Myrtle Seals Smith.  He was also preceded in death by his brother, M. Dean Smith, sisters, Winifred Dowd, Myra Purnell, and Sarah Durden, brothers-in-law, Joe Dowd, Herman Purnell, W. Sutton Durden, and J. Elmer Frost, sister-in-law, Joan Smith, and nephews, Mark Smith, Dusty Durden, and Kemp Newman.  He graduated in 1952 from Commercial High School in Savannah, GA with and interest in accounting.  He retired as a banking auditor from SunTrust Bank after 25 years.  He then went to work as the box office manager for the Savannah Civic Center for 5 years.  He was a member of the Faulkville Baptist Church in Bloomingdale and was the church treasurer for 25 years.  He was also part of the Young at Heart senior group for many years.  Mr. Smith loved Southern Gospel Music and was voted TOP GOSPEL PROMOTER in 1977 along with his partners, Jerold Woods and Bill King.  He also promoted many top artists of gospel music to his local church in Faulkville.  Mr. Smith was never married but he was beloved by many nieces, nephews, and friends.  He also loved raising all types of birds and chickens, and he had an overwhelming love for basketball.  He will be greatly missed.  We know that God has a gospel group in Heaven just for him.  In January of 2018 he went to reside at the BCHR center and they became his family.  We would like to thank all the caretakers for their kindness and love during his final days on this earth.  Also, for Hospice of Savannah for their services.

Survivors include his sisters, Ione S. Newman and Jeannette S. Frost, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The visitation will be on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The funeral will be on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Meldrim.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes – WEST CHATHAM CHAPEL – 901 W. Hwy. 80 – Pooler, GA (912) 748-2444