Mr. Lester "Fit" Smith died Jan. 12. The son of the late Nora Smith, he was born in 1928 in Covington. He was raised with his two brothers, Walter and Clyde, both of whom preceded him in death. Mr. Smith was affectionately known as "Fit," He graduated from Washington Street School in 1946. Afterwards he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He returned to Georgia and attended Morris Brown College. After graduation and married the lovely Ruth Bailey. They were married for 56 years until her death in 2008. For eight years, Lester dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at Washington Street School and R. L. Cousins. He left his teaching career to work for Ford Motor Company. After 28 years of service, he retired to pursue his passion for fishing and gardening.

Surviving are sons Ronald Smith and Reginald Smith Sr.; daughter-in-law Annette Smith; granddaughters Shareeka, Elizabeth and Erica Smith; grandsons Reginald (Kai) Smith Jr. and Rylan Smith; step-grandson Edward Gordon; great-granddaughters Paris Paskel and Riley Smith; sisters-in-law Doris and Claudette Bailey; nephews Clyde Jr., Jeff, Greg and Christopher Smith, Kevin, Robert and Andre Bailey; nieces Anne Smith, Tiffany (Brian) Harvin, Terry (Desmond) Donaldson, Mia Bailey; first cousins Charlie Mae Ponder, Lizzie Ruth Smith, Willie Jones; special cousin Vivian Sawyer; and a host of other loving relatives and dear friends.

Funeral services were held Jan. 15 at St. Paul AME Church with the Rev. Thomas Stegall, the Rev. Marie Davis, the Rev. Darlene Smith and the Rev. Asa Floyd officiating. Interment followed in Lawnwood Memorial Park.