AUGUSTA, Ga. — Services for Vernon Lee Smith of Augusta, Ga., formerly of Ferriday, who died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at his residence, were at 11 a.m. Saturday at B. A. Williams Memorial Chapel with the Rev. M. J. Jefferson and Chaplain Charles Trower  officiating.

Burial was at Mt. Olive Memorial Garden with full military honors.

Mr. Smith, a native of Ferriday, retired from the U. S. Army as sergeant major after 30 years of service. He also later retired from the Georgia State Department of Corrections. He was a member of New Era Lodge No. 107, Lebanon Consistory No. 28 and Stolkin Temple No. 22.  He was also instrumental in establishing the Veterans Support Group of Augusta .

Survivors include his wife, Ester Whatley Smith; daughters, Dorothy C. Leonard, Ferriday, Irma Jean Outlaw and husband. Eddie, of Augusta; son, Tyrone Scott of Dallas, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Earl Bowman and wife, Jerri, of Fort Worth, Texas, Earnest Bowman and wife, Thelma, of, Alexandria; sisters, Dorothy Turner of Milwaukee, Wisc., Carrie Carter and husband, Brack, and Gracie Jefferson and husband, Roosevelt, of Oakland, Calif.; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.  Please sign guest book at Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wmsfh.net.