Beloved Football Coach Jack Smith, 92, Passes Away Leaving His Wife Doris Woodson Smith

Jack Smith, a devoted member of the Georgia High School Coaches Association, died on Friday.

Born on July 26, 1933, in Nashville, TN, he was the son of Will Clay Smith, Jr. and Laurabel Everal Sanders Smith.

His parents both worked for Grant Banks and were transferred first to Jacksonville, FL, and then to Thomaston, GA, where Jack grew up, lettering in basketball and football in high school.

Jack proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War.

Jack Smith Died At 92, Leaving Everyone Devastated

According to reports, Jack Smith, a beloved coach from Thomaston, GA, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the age of 92.

However, the cause of death has not been revealed yet.

Close ones and relatives have poured their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Jack and his family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.

A Celebration of Life for Jack will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Thomaston First Methodist Church with Rev. John Halley and Rev. Dean Hemphill officiating.

Interment will follow at South View Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to Joan. Jack’s family looks forward to welcoming family and friends to celebrate this great man who loved Thomaston deeply.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.

Rest in Heaven, Jack Smith.

Jack Smith Married Dorris Woodson Smith After The Death of His First Wife, Joan

Jack met the love of his life, Joan Chastain Smith, while working at Kass’s Store for Men during their Christmas break from college.

After she graduated from North GA College in 1961 and he graduated from the University of Georgia in 1963, they married and began distinguished and storied careers as teachers in the Georgia public school system.

They later also owned Smith’s Jewelry in Barnesville, GA.

He and Joan had two children, Jackie and Michael.

Several years after Joan’s tragic early death from cancer in 1985, Jack married Doris Woodson Smith, also of Thomaston, and spent his retirement years here.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• He attended the University of Georgia on the GI Bill while working as a cameraman at PBS GA Public Television. 
• He spent summers in Chicago with his grandparents and traveling to Washington, D.C. to visit his uncle, Everett Sanders—a former U.S. Representative, Chief of Staff to President Calvin Coolidge, and Chairman of the Republican National Committee—often taking the train from Atlanta with his younger brother, Billy.