Howard Lee Smith

September 17, 1940 - October 13, 2026

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his remarkable ability to make everyone he encountered feel valued

Howard Lee Smith, a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, teacher, coach, friend and businessman whose generosity touched countless lives, will be remembered for his humble Christian faith, his love of family, and his remarkable ability to make everyone he encountered feel valued.

Howard was born in Booneville, Mississippi. During his early childhood, he spent five years in Panama while his father, an electrician, worked on the Panama Canal. His family later returned to Tuscumbia, Alabama, where he graduated from Deshler High School in 1958.

His love of basketball led him to earn a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where he played as the starting center for the Crimson Tide. He graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He began his professional teaching and coaching career at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida, before moving to Savannah, Georgia, where he continued teaching and coaching at Savannah High School.

In 1966, Howard began a new chapter as a sales representative for the L.G. Balfour Company. While he may have left teaching and coaching as a profession, he never stopped being a teacher and coach at heart. When his sons, Sean and Jon, came along, he returned to the sidelines to coach their youth baseball and basketball teams. What began as a profession became one of the great joys of fatherhood. Through youth sports, Howard continued doing what he loved: teaching, encouraging, and investing in young people—especially his two boys.

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Howard’s greatest earthly love was his family

His work with Balfour grew into a lifelong career built on friendships, trust, and a sincere love for people. Together with his brother, Robert, Howard owned and operated a sales territory serving schools, students and families throughout Georgia, building relationships that have lasted decades. Throughout the industry, Howard and Robert were well known as “The Smith Brothers.” Howard’s sales office was frequently recognized nationally as a top-performing office. Throughout his career, Howard earned Salesman of the Year honors, his office received Sales Office of the Year recognition, and he ultimately received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Howard was also a proud inductee into the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame - Class of 2010 and the Milton High School Hall of Fame - Class of 2016.

For all his professional accomplishments and cherished friendships, Howard’s greatest earthly love was his family. He shared 33 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Mary McLain Smith. Together, they built a family grounded in love, faith, and devotion. He took tremendous pride in his sons, Sean and Jon; his daughters-in-law, Jennifer and Lauren; and his five grandchildren: Collin McLain Smith, Kathryn Adeline Smith, Mary McLain Smith, Brooklyn Grace Smith, and Arden Miller Smith.

Howard was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary; his parents, John and Eula Smith; and his older brothers, John Bolivar Smith Jr. and Edward Douglas Smith. He is survived by his younger brother, Robert Abram Smith; his two sons and their families; 32 nieces and nephews; and his most cherished friend and companion of the past 23 years, Dianne Shelton, whom he loved so dearly.

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some of the most lasting differences we make begin with a simple act of kindness

Howard leaves a legacy in the young people he coached, the students he helped, his friends and the family he loved. His life will forever be a reminder that some of the most lasting differences we make begin with a simple act of kindness and the decision to make another person feel valued.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the service at 3:00 p.m. The service can be livestreamed via: https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/4ZBYBS 

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Howard Lee Smith Hall of Fame Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is being established in his honor through the Milton HS PTO and Hall of Fame. It is our hope this annual scholarship will perpetuate Howard’s legacy of generosity, his love for others, and his lifelong commitment to encouraging and celebrating young people. Those wishing to contribute can donate online at the following link: https://miltoneaglespto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/399696073

To donate by check, please mail a check to:

Milton High School

c/o Milton High School PTO

The Howard Lee Smith Hall of Fame Memorial Scholarship

13025 Birmingham Highway

Milton, GA 30004

Please be sure that checks are made payable to Milton High School PTO, with “Howard Lee Smith Memorial Scholarship” on the memo line.

Please visit www.northsidechapel.com to share memories and leave condolences to the family.