Major Hoke Gilbert Smith, 91 years of age, formerly of Cedartown, Georgia passed away on April 10, 2024 after an extended illness. MAJ Smith was born March 11,1933 in Warm Springs, Georgia.  Hoke is survived by his loving wife, Linda Lee Smith of 62 years; his daughter Stacy (Shannon) Benton; son COL (R) Chad (Candace) Smith; Grandchildren Rebekah (Brenden) Worth, Breanna Benton and great-grand daughter, Adelynn Lee Worth.  Hoke is the son of the late Hoke H. and Adel Smith of Warm Springs. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Smith Mitchell.  He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Cedartown for as many years as he could physically attend.

After graduating from Manchester High School in 1949 he attended South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia.  As a student he continued his love of sports by playing football and baseball.  He thoroughly loved playing football for Coach Bobby Bowden even though his first love was playing first-base and throwing fastballs on his baseball team.  Beginning in 1953 during the Korean War, he served in the United States Army. At this time, MAJ Smith joined the famous 187th Regimental Combat Team, where he served in Japan and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He received an honorable discharge in 1955 and eagerly returned to South Georgia College to play more ball.

He joined the Georgia State Patrol in 1956 as a license examiner. He selflessly served the State of Georgia for over twenty-seven years reaching the rank of Major and the Commander of the Georgia State Patrol in February 1979.  He loved being among the many men in law enforcement who shared his strong beliefs of law, order, ethics, loyalty, and above all, honesty.  Even though MAJ Smith retired from the GSP in 1983, he continues to be remembered as a courageous leader as he answered the many calls of duty.  MAJ Smith was a Master Mason of more than 60 years.  He was also a member of the Shrine.

The funeral arrangements for Major Smith will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at eleven o'clock in the morning in the chapel of the Gammage Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Benefield officiating.  Interment will follow in the Georgia National Cemetery with honors from the Georgia State Patrol.

The family of MAJ Smith will receive family and friends on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from ten o'clock in the morning until the funeral hour at the Gammage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Homes for Our Troops @ https://www.hfotusa.org: Direct Call @ 866—787-6677; Homes for Our Troops 6 Main Street Taunton, MA  02780.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.

The Olin L. Gammage and Son Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the services of Major Hoke Gilbert Smith.