Johns Creek – Buddy M. NeSmith, Jr., age 71, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Northside Hospital surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Buddy was born on November 19, 1952, in Eastman. He was the son of the late Buddy M. NeSmith, Sr. and Mary Wilhelmina "Wena" Hunt NeSmith and was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 25 years, Beverly Reeves NeSmith.

He is survived by his son, Howell Hunt NeSmith; his daughter-in-law, Sahar Sarraf NeSmith; his granddaughter, Taliazhin "Tali" Starr NeSmith; his fiancée, Susan Greene; his sisters, Liz NeSmith McKey and Marie NeSmith Fletcher; their husbands, Dwight McKey and Keith Fletcher; his nieces and nephews, Diana, James, Lily, and William; and numerous cousins.

Buddy grew up in Cochran. He was a graduate of Cochran High School, Class of 1970 and a graduate of Mercer University, where he majored in history and journalism.  After college, Buddy worked with his father, first at the Ford-Mercury dealership he owned, and later at Buddy NeSmith Oil Company. Later, he took over as the head of the company and had multiple locations throughout Georgia. In the latter part of his career, he served as a part-time local pastor in the United Methodist Church having served at Waresboro UMC and Roxie Mae UMC, both in Ware County. At the same time, he worked as a nursing home social services director.

Buddy was a warm, caring father and loving husband. Whenever he was around, you could count on him for a ready grin or a witty one-liner, delivered in a sense of humor that was at once unique and disarming. He came along to camping trips and football games, and was a fixture at family gatherings. While others were getting swept up in the action, he always had a way of quietly seeing and tending to something that someone needed but others had missed. To Beverly, he was a husband with whom she bonded over faith, humor, and love of life & family.
Buddy melted whenever he got to see his granddaughter, Tali. Some of his family's fondest memories are of him holding Tali as a baby or letting her sit on his lap to watch cartoons. Just as with his son, nieces, and nephews, Buddy was thoroughly smitten with her.

He cherished his time with his fiancée, Susan. They found each other in North Carolina, enjoyed folk music and gave each other comfort, kindness, and love. Together, they enjoyed time with family (and especially her pets), folk music, and lazy days enjoying the mountain lifestyle.
Buddy was well-known as a man of gentle kindness (except on the football field). He looked out for his little sisters and they knew that any time they turned to him, they would find a great listener and a steady source of support.

While at Mercer, Buddy became a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. With his brothers, he formed friendships that last to this day, including a truly close bond with his best friend of 50 years, Ken Smith.

He was a talented guitarist and played with his high school friends in a band called The Roadrunners. Buddy carried his love of music throughout his life, collecting guitars and service as a choir member and musician in the Methodist church.

The family will greet friends from 2:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M., Sunday at Mathis Funeral Home.