Mr. Forney Wes “John” Smith, Jr. age 72 of Trion, Georgia passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at his residence.

John was born in Walker County, Georgia on March 29, 1954, son of the late Forney Wes Smith, Sr. and Alma Lee Brown Smith. He was a member of the New Hope North Baptist Church and was retired from Shaw Industries. John was the bass player for the Southern Express Band. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved being outside, hunting, and fishing. John enjoyed fixing things and gardening, but his favorite activity was spending time with his grandbabies.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by sisters, Mary Childers and Dorothy Carroll; a brother, Jimmy Smith; a special sister-in-law, Kim Laymon; and a great granddaughter, Jenna Moore.

John is survived by his wife, Tonia Blessing Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Shanna Ware; daughters and sons-in-law, Angie and Mark Mann, Savannah Laymon and Tasha Blessing(Tim Franklin); brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Linda Smith; sisters and son-in-law, Ann Pettyjohn and Lynne and Scott Noel; grandchildren, Holly Stanley, Autumn Moore, Eli Mann, Lexie Young, Kensleigh Gordy, Emily Young, Willow Ware, Madison Franklin, and Lillianna Franklin; great granddaughter, Annalise Mann; and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral Services for John will be held Friday, September 18, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. in the chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Spears officiating.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Coffman Funeral Home.