Grooms Earl Smith age 69 of Alma, Ga. died Saturday May 4th, 2013 at Memorial Health Center in Savannah, Ga. after an extended illness. Grooms was a native of Bacon County and had retired after 38 years with Dixie Pipeline as a terminal operator. Grooms also farmed most of his life. Grooms was a member of Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church and an honorary member of the V.F.W. Grooms was preceded in death by his parents James R. Smith Sr. and Edna Pearl Taylor, he was also preceded in death by a brother Lewis Smith.

Survivors include his wife Susan Lorene McCrea Smith, one son Hudson Ray Smith (Angie), Two daughters Robin Lorene Boatright (Brian), and Melissa Smith Mathews (Terry), all of Alma. One brother, James C. Smith of Alma, three sisters Barbara Ann Grantham (Junior) of Brunswick, Lynette Spell (Reidus) of Alma, and Lawanda Boatright (Van) of Blackshear, also 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren survive.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday May 7th, at 10:00 AM at Douglas Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Chancey officiating and a eulogy by Junior Grantham. Internment will follow in the Douglas Chapel Church Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends Monday night from 6 until 9 PM at the Chapel of Crosby Funeral Home. Active pallbearers are Christopher Lee, Trenton Smith, Mathew Lee, Trevor Mathews, Brody Mathews and Justin Leggett. All others in attendance will be considered honorary escort.

Crosby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.