JoAnne McDonald Smith

JoAnne M. Smith

DANVILLE – JoAnne McDonald Smith, 83, affectionately known as “Deeda” by her grandchildren, of Cool Springs Rd., passed away Tuesday August 5, 2025, at her residence.

Services will be held Friday August 8, 2025 at 3:00PM at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Burial will be at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in Cochran, GA. Rev. Dwayne Bedingfield and Rev. Tim Nobles will officiate.

Mrs. Smith was born in Chester, GA the daughter of the late Ray W. McDonald, Sr. and Eugenia Bozeman McDonald. She was preceded in death by her son, Ralph G. Smith, her sister Theresa M. Quick, her sister in law Jenny McDonald and brothers in law Robert G. Smith and Claude Eskew. Her nephew Jim Dominick. JoAnne grew up in Macon, GA and lived in various cities over the years including Washington D.C., Cochran, GA, and Dudley, GA and spent the later years of her life in Danville, GA.

While living in Washington D.C., JoAnne worked as a secretary with the F.B.I. under J. Edgar Hoover. After returning to Georgia she worked with DFACS in Bleckley and Twiggs Counties and for her “favorite Son in Law” at Combined Insurance Company. JoAnne was a member of Bleckley County Pilot Club, and Heart of Georgia Pilot Club where she was President of both at one time and served as a district officer.

She and James loved to travel. They finished their bucket list traveling to all 50 states. They also traveled to Sweden, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland.

She loved plants and flowers and earned a Master Gardener degree. JoAnne also loved music, singing, dancing and painting. JoAnne was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, James G. Smith. Her daughter Lisette S. (Gary Jr) Nobles. Her brother Ray W. McDonald, Jr., her sister Kathy (Eddie) Percival. Her grandchildren, Alex (Mary Catherine) Nobles, Evan (Adriene) Nobles, Ivie (Luis) Gonzalez, and Owen Nobles. Her Great Grandchildren, Asher Nobles, and Harper Nobles.

The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Thursday in the funeral home.

Donations can be made to Gideon's International Twiggs County Camp, P.O. Box 502 Jeffersonville, GA 31044

Visit reecefuneralhomeinc.com to express tributes.

Reece Funeral Home in Jeffersonville has charge of arrangements.