Joel Thomas Smith, 67, died on Monday October 5th, 2026. Joel was known by most everyone as Tommy. Tommy was born in Savannah, GA, and was the son of Jimmie and Mary Smith.

In 1979, Tommy married his high school sweetheart, Kim Askin. They went on to have three children. Tommy was educated in Augusta, GA, graduating from Westside High in 1977. He received many accolades in high school for academics as well as athletics including the All-Century Team in football and MVP in baseball. He was also voted Most Likely to Succeed and Best Looking. He worked at Augusta Newsprint while raising children and eventually completed his BA of Criminal Justice from Augusta College in 1989. Securing a full scholarship for playing 1st base for the Augusta College Jaguars. After graduation, he moved his family to Savannah, GA, to begin a new career at Callaway Chemical and retired from Kemira Chemical in 2023 after 33 years of service.

Known by many as Coach Tommy, he devoted a great deal of time and energy to coaching his children and their friends in all sports they played growing up. He loved music. He could always rip on a guitar. Tommy also loved history. He was a huge WWII buff and enjoyed comedy, especially Monty Python, dark humor and parody, and Three Stooges slapstick. He loved fishing at Johnstonville Pond with his dad, sons, brothers-in-law, and buddies, and he was a devoted sports fan, with the Braves at the top of the list.
Tommy remarried December 12th, 2007 to Mittie McKinney. They spent their years together on St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick. Mittie was a perfect match for Tommy as they shared the same love for comedy, family, food, a quiet home life, the Braves, and walks with their dog, Bear, on Jekyll Island beach.

Tommy leaves behind his daughter, Jennifer DeLettre (Ryan, Langston, Avery, and Cameron) of Savannah, GA; son, Jake Smith (Chelsea, Jenny, Chloe, and Otis) of Portal, GA; son, Josh Smith (Kelly, Conley and Juliet) of Savannah, GA; sister, Lynn Padgett (Jerry) of Augusta, GA; sister, Carol Smith of Murrells Inlet, SC; sister Mandy Gill (Mike) of Columbus, GA; and several nieces and nephews: Sommer, Heather, Jeromé, Samantha, and Graham.

Tommy also leaves behind his in-laws; son-in-law Shep Caldwell (Shannan and Marion Faye) of Beaufort, SC; and daughter-in-law Amanda Reynolds (Matt, Hoage, and Robert) of Swainsboro, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Evan Gill.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 from 2:00pm - 4:00PM at Fox and Weeks Funeral Home on Whitemarsh Island at 4606 US-80 Savannah, GA 31410.

In lieu of a formal funeral service, the family invites you to stop by and share your memories.Joel Thomas Smith, 67, of Savannah, passed away at his home on Monday, October 5, 2026.