Howard Edward Smith, known to most as "Big Ed" and affectionately called "Biggs" by his grandchildren, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on March 14, 2026.

Born in Clarkesville, GA, to Garnett Edward and Mazie Dockery Smith, Ed was the eldest of six children. His lifelong journey of hard work began shortly after high school when he left North Georgia for flight school in Kansas City. By 1959, his passion for aviation took him to Chicago, where he worked in operations for Continental Airlines.

In 1960, Ed married the love of his life, Louise Anderson, and the couple eventually returned to their Georgia roots. In 1965, they settled in Carrollton, where Ed served as the first pilot for Richards and Associates.

While he loved the skies, Ed is perhaps best known for his grounded impact on the landscape of the Southeast. His prolific career in grading and construction shaped the Carrollton community, where he completed landmark projects including Oak Mountain Golf Club, Oak Mountain Park, and the Smokerise, Windemere, and Wynridge subdivisions.

A man of deep faith and quiet generosity, Ed was a devoted member of First Baptist Church for over sixty years. There, he served as a Deacon, played on the church softball team, and raised his three sons alongside Louise. Ed was also a Mason and was well known throughout the community for performing numerous anonymous acts of kindness, preferring to help others without fanfare or recognition.

Ed is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Louise Smith; his three sons, Brad (Laura) Smith, Marty (Pam) Smith, and Chris (Mandy) Smith; and his sisters, Joyce (Jim) Lockaby and Barbara Smith.

He leaves behind a proud legacy in his seven grandchildren: Carter (Savannah) Smith, Kat (Joseph) Hendricks, Taylor (Haven) Smith, Andy (Landrey) Smith, Caroline (Daniel) Maxwell, Lora Grace Smith, and Sydney Smith, as well as five great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 5pm to 7pm.

Funeral service will be held Friday, March 20, 2026 at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church.

Interment will be in Carroll Memory Gardens with William Rodriguez, Casey Vance, Gus Capilos, Matt Morris, Ronnie Jordan, Coby Smith, Jay Gill, and Johnny Tanner serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Carter Smith, Taylor Smith, Andy Smith, and Chuck Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church, 102 Dixie Street, Carrollton, Georgia 30117, in Ed's memory.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.