John W. "PePaw" Smith, III

John Wright “PePaw” Smith, III, age 74, of Milledgeville, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025. Funeral services for John W. Smith, III will be conducted Friday, December 19, 2025 at 2:00pm in Freedom Church with Rev. Ralph Story and Rev. Tim Thomas officiating. Interment will be held in the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 2:30pm. The family will receive friends at Freedom Church on Thursday (12-18-25) from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A native of Milledgeville, John was born on March 1, 1951 to the late John Wright “Jake” Smith, II and Mildred Aileen Snow Smith. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jennie Bell and Roy Medlin, by his wife, Wanda Jean Medlin Smith, by his son-in-law, Jonathan Brookins, by his brother, Billy Smith, by his sister, Patsy Smith, by his brothers-in-law, Andy Medlin, Ed Ketchum, Harold Smith, Willie Dunn, and Edmond Medlin. John was retired from the U.S. Army, as an E-7 (SFC) and was a Mechanical Management Supervisor. His family (all four of his children) traveled with him through his enlistment, beginning in the Panama Canal Zone, to Texas, to Germany, to Colorado, to Texas, and back to Germany, through Kansas, and Alaska, before retiring at Ft. Stewart in 1991. Once retired, he came home and began driving cars for Childre Ford Nissan, which lasted for 30 years. Survivors include his daughters, Amy Flury (& Sam) of Milledgeville, and Michelle Brookins of Milledgeville ; his sons, John W. “Jay” Smith, IV (& Angie), and Roy Shannon (& Tina) ; his grandchildren, Tiffany Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Jaylin (Blake) Smith, Corey (Shelby) Brookins, Ashton “A.J.” (Jamie) Smith, Katie (Cody) Lumley, April (Michael) Screws, and Ashley Flury ; 5 great grandchildren ; his sisters, Marian Medlin of Milledgeville, Janie Dunn of Milledgeville, and Marti Pozzi (& John) of Alaska ; his brothers, Roger Smith (& Shawn) of Wyoming, Jimmy “Shorty” Smith (& Dawn) of Eatonton, Richard Smith (& Beverly) of Eatonton ; his sisters-in-law, Leone Smith, Bonnie Ketchum, and Sue Kitchens (& Tommy) ; sister in law, Sandy Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews. . In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that Memorial Donations be made to Freedom Church, 500 Underwood Road, Milledgeville, GA 31061. Condolences may be expressed online at: www.williamsfuneral.net Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Milledgeville is in charge of arrangements.

John W. "PePaw" Smith, III

March 1, 1951 - December 13, 2025