Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Arja Smailes, 96, of Sylvester, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014 at his home.
A funeral service was held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 19, 2014 at the Evergreen Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Church Cemetery. The Rev. Kevin Johnson, Rev. Todd Brooks, Mr. Tom Smailes and Mr. Joe Smailes will officiate.
Mr. Smailes was born on March 15, 1918 in Dickson City, Pennsylvania to the late Isaac and Ethel Himm Smailes. After his graduation from Dickson City High School, he joined the Army Air Corp which later became the U. S. Air Force. Mr. Smailes served his country honorably for 30 years. His military service included tours of duty in North Africa, Japan, Korea, as well as various state side bases. He was a veteran of WW II and Korea. After his retirement from the U. S. Air Force, Mr. Smailes worked as an engineer for Lockheed Aircraft for 12 years. He was a long time member of Evergreen Baptist Church in Sylvester, GA.
Survivors include his devoted wife, Laurene Carter Smailes; sons, Joe David Smailes of Quincy, CA and Charles Thomas Smailes of Ft. Collins, Co; daughters, Suzan Berggren of Dallas, TX and Kimberly Sheffield of Hanford, CA; 12 grandchildren and to date, 15 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers include Joe Smailes, Tom Smailes, David Smailes, Christian Smailes, Seth Packham and Bryce Taylor.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Banks Funeral Home.
The family request in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation Ln., Albany, GA., 31721.
Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com .
Banks Funeral Home of Sylvester is in charge of the arrangements.
(229) 776-2055