Mr. Roy Smith, age 82, of Chatsworth, Georgia, departed this life Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Georgia.

Roy was born December 19, 1943, in Chatsworth, Georgia, a son of the late J.D. and Myrtle Dotson Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a special niece, Holli Pippin; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Stella Swafford; and a brother-in-law, Marvin Holsonback.

A proud 1961 graduate of Murray County High School, Roy dedicated much of his life to serving his community. He began his career as an Emergency Medical Technician with Murray County Hospital while also working for the Georgia Department of Transportation. Roy retired as a project engineer from the Georgia Department of Transportation after thirty-three years of faithful service. He later continued giving back to his community through his work with the Murray County Government and Meco Builders. Roy took great pride in his work, but his greatest fulfillment came from helping others and building lasting relationships along the way.

Outside of work, Roy had many passions that filled his life with joy. He was an avid dirt track racer at North Georgia Speedway and loved spending time with family and friends panning for gold. A talented musician, Roy enjoyed playing his guitar and especially treasured the time he spent being a member and singing with the Salem Quartet.

Roy was a devoted member of Salem Baptist Church. He never met a stranger and was known for his warm smile, generous spirit, and genuine love for people. He embraced life fully and cared deeply for those around him. Above all, Roy treasured his family. His love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was the foundation of his life. He lived out the words of Ephesians 3:20, trusting that God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” and he found comfort in God’s limitless grace and faithfulness.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alice Smith, with whom he would have celebrated their thirty-seventh wedding anniversary on May 21, 2026; daughters, Morghen (Mac) Sikes of Paris, France, and Delana (Brad) Lewis; sons, David (Joyce) Smith, and Tony Smith, all of Chatsworth, Georgia; grandchildren, Porter Sikes, Roselie Sikes, Amber (Drew) Johns, Emily (Grayson) York, Colton (Alexis) Crook, and Family and Chandler (Kenzie) Smith and Family; great-grandchildren, Olivia Johns and Madelyn Johns; special sister, Betty Holsonback; niece and nephews Linda Holsonback; Mark and Melissa Holsonback, and Justin Pippin, Crystal Williams, April Lowe, Dustin and Leander Nichols; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, William and Deborah Swafford, Jr., and Vicki and Eddie Pippin; special neighbors, Tiffany and Jay Bolts and Family, Derek and Lauren Howard and Family, Joan Banks, Kelly Washington and Family; bonus daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Beth and Chris Post, and bonus grandchildren, Nash, and Sarah Jean Post; his beloved American Bully Pit, Simba Sullivan Smith.

Services to celebrate the life of Mr. Roy Smith will be held Saturday April 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church with Reverend Noel Caldwell officiating. Family will receive friends for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until service hour at Salem Baptist Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30721. “Your Selected Independent Funeral Home”