Perry Lenard Smith's Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Perry Lenard Smith. Mr. Smith passed on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in Conyers, Georgia.
Perry Lenard Smith was a bonafide "Grady Baby", born on March 2nd, 1967 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He was the oldest son of the late James B and Patricia D Addison. Educated in the Atlanta Public School System, he attended and was a 1985 graduate of G.W. Carver Comprehensive High School, which fondly referred to as "The High". While there, he was a standout athlete in football and basketball. He often said jokingly (but seriously at the same time) that he has a P.H.D- Public High School Diploma"
In 1988, he began a career as a Chrome Plater at Southern Graphics Systems in Atlanta and worked faithfully until his retirement in 2017. Retirement didn't last long... he couldn't sit still! So, he, along with his wife, set out on a path of entrepreneurship, and he also worked part-time jobs until he found a new work family at Transmission Parts Unlimited, where he worked until his untimely passing.
His 3 greatest accomplishments in life were his children, Jelesia, Jeremy, and Lauren (also known as Ree), whom he was extremely proud of and loved beyond words. He also was a proud Pop-Pop to 2 beautiful grandsons, Jayce and Zaire. He and his grandsons shared a love of Spiderman and doing push-up competitions, which often ended in a tie!
He met a small-town girl, Elana, in July of 1987, and after a long, long courtship, they began to build a home and life together in 2008 and married in June of 2012. They were able to enjoy 10 more years of love, laughter and life, traveling, making new friends, and experiencing new things together.
To know Perry is to love him, and if you know him, you know he didn't warm up to just anyone. But when he did, he not only made you a friend, he made you family. He was always referred to as "One Cool Dude" and always the life of the party, loving to dance the way that only he could.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Elana Michele; his children, Jelesia M. Smith, Jeremy R.L. Smith, and Lauren P. Smith; one brother, Cerderick A. (Michelle) Ford, a niece and nephew, Sederia N. Ford and Cerderick A Ford, Jr; Aunts, Jacqueline Ford, Gwenda Ford, Jacqueline McCrimmon, Carolyn Moore, Wanda Addison and Cheryl Locklear; Uncles, Richard Ford, Elder Larry Ford, Randy Ford and Artis "Mickey" Addison; as well as a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
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