Mr. Michael Jay Smith

Michael (Mike) Jay Smith of Johns Creek, Georgia passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022. He was born in Millington, TN on September 30, 1960, at the U.S. Naval Hospital. He was the son of the late Dr. Buren S. Smith, Sr. and the late Lennie Sharp Ricks. The middle son of a Navy medical doctor and Psychiatrist, Mike spent his young years living in the Naval Base Trinidad in Trinidad, West Indies and had fond memories of life spent in the tropical oasis with his older brother, Steve and younger sister, Alison. This is where he first developed a love for nature and the ocean. Mike grew up in Brandon, Mississippi and attended Brandon High School where he first met the love of his life, Teresa Palacios. Mike and Teresa dated for 4 years prior to a beautiful wedding on June 4, 1983, and in 2023 would have celebrated 40 years of marriage. In 1989, Mike fell in love again when his daughter Jessica Mercedes was born. His life would never be the same again and he found total happiness in the joy and beauty of his “brown eyed, curly haired girl” who he would lovingly call his “Bubba” and “Goober.” He thought his life was totally complete and then another wonderful surprise came when Jeffrey Michael was born in 1991. The day he brought Jeffrey home from the hospital, he held him in his arms and said, “you are my beautiful boy, and my life is so full and complete.” He knew the Smith legacy would continue and that this “beautiful boy” which he would sing and play his guitar to had forever changed his life. He absolutely adored his children and was a loving and caring husband and father. A brilliant mind, Mike scored a perfect score in his ACT’s and was awarded a full 4-year scholarship to attend Mississippi State University where he graduated with honors with a degree in Nuclear Engineering and Physics. Immediately after graduating college, Mike joined Arkansas Power and Light in Little Rock, Arkansas where he and Teresa spent 5 years. He then was offered a role as a Director and Senior Consultant for NAC International which brought him and Teresa to Atlanta, Georgia. He traveled the world and was held in high esteem for his experience in the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. He worked for NAC for 18 years and then worked as Senior Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton where he led the firm’s efforts on various nuclear nonproliferation programs and nuclear energy initiatives. In 2008, Mike joined UxC, LLC as a consultant and was the ultimate subject matter expert on the nuclear fuel cycle working on various projects and managing critical databases for the company and industry. He worked for UxC, LLC until his final days. Mike was a lifelong learner and would study with intensity any subject he was interested in. He became fascinated with gardening (especially vegetables and herbs), reading, cycling, music (guitars), wines, cigars, the Bible, wood, scientific instrumentation, and cooking. He loved football and would spend his weekends watching and discussing both SEC and NFL games with his son, Jeffrey. His favorite team was the Minnesota Vikings, but the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons also held a special place in his heart. He loved anything to do with nature from trees to the ocean and would share this love with his family. He was an ultimate chef and shared his love of cooking with his daughter Jessica who he would spend time exchanging tips and cooking secrets for many recipes. They would spend hours in the kitchen, and he cherished his time with her along with teaching her the recipes of the dishes that were dear to his heart which were the “southern recipes” that had been passed down from his mother and grandmother. Like his father, Mike would develop a love for collecting anything he was passionate for. He was known for his great sense of humor and generosity. He was a family man and deeply loved his wife, children, parents, siblings, and sisters-in-law who he had known his entire life. He would always say that he valued God, family, and country and the search for the truth. His most treasured gift was the beautiful land his father left him and his siblings in Terry, Mississippi. Along with his parents, Mike is preceded in death by his brother Jeffery Smith. He is survived by his wife Teresa Palacios Smith. His two loving children: daughter Jessica (Jess) Mercedes Smith Peterson and Jeffrey (Jeff) Michael Smith of Johns Creek, GA. His son-in-law, Patrick (Pat) Peterson of Decatur, GA. His brother, Steve B. Smith, Jr, his daughter, Avery and his wife, Katherine Smith of Forest, MS. His sister, Alison L. Smith and his nephew, Ryan Hendrix of Brandon, MS and his children. His sister-in-law, Alma M. Vallim and brother-in-law, Jeferson Vallim of Roswell, GA and children, Matheus Durieu and his wife, Francis Durieu along with their daughters from Alpharetta, GA. His niece, Dani Durieu and her husband, Artur Brigette from Curitiba, Brazil. His sister-in-law, Rosa Kinard and brother-in-law, Kerry Kinard and nephew, Connor Kinard from Carrolton, GA. His sister-in-law, Carmen Palacios from Alpharetta, GA. Along with many extended family members, colleagues, and close friends. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at the Northside Chapel at 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia. Visitation will begin at 11am followed by a service in honor of Mike at 1pm. There will be a reception immediately after. Those interested are welcomed to stop by the home after the ceremony. Please visit www.northsidechapel.com to share memories and leave condolences to the family. Please reach out if you or a loved one is experiencing depression. The following resources are available https://afsp.org/; https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention

Mr. Michael Jay Smith

September 30, 1960 - November 17, 2022