Lonnie Smith, age 96, passed away on February 9, 2024. He was born and reared in the Russellville area of Franklin County, Alabama. The visitation will be at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville, Alabama from 12:00-1:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 15, with the service to immediately follow at 1:00 P.M.
Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Johnny B. Smith will be officiating.
Living in Franklin County all his life, Lonnie would walk most everywhere he went. While on these walks, he was the “social butterfly” of Russellville, regularly stopping in and talking to everyone, and making many dear friends throughout his long life. Lonnie worked many years with Grissom’s Farms doing farming and many other tasks on the farm. He was a Baptist by faith and a member of New Jerusalem, but would worship with First Baptist also.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Callie Lloyd Smith; sisters, Alberta Chitwood, and Lena Mae McCullough.
Lonnie loved being with his many cousins, family members, and friends, and although he will be deeply missed by them all, he will be happily remembered for his energetic smile and personality. There could never be enough space to list all those friends and family that loved Lonnie and were loved by him, but some include… His beloved cousins, Eva, Willie Ed., Linda, and Elka Graham, Alesandra Graves, Allison Orr Jones, Sheryl Hill, Marcus Hill, Sharon Suggs, Sharonda Head, Ernie, Karolin and Kael Brooks.
His many close friends included, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Mullins, who shared many breakfasts with Lonnie; Jake Young who transported him to the senior center and Cathy Garrison from the senior center; Terry Groce who shared every Sunday at church next to Lonnie; His caregiver Peggy Newell; Sean Willingham and “Buddy” Wilson who gave Lonnie many haircuts. Lonnie’s right-hand man and caregiver, Will Hamilton. Tom Hamilton, who would take him to Tennessee for produce from the Amish and to town. Robert Groce who was Lonnie’s football friend; and many countless neighbors who loved being around, sharing food, and spending many special events of life with Lonnie.
Lonnie’s family would like to thank all those wonderful family members, friends, and others that gave love and care to Lonnie which made him the loving, caring, person he was. We thank you and share much love for you all.
