Russell Smith Obituary

The Honorable Russell William Rusty Smith, Chief Superior Court Judge of the Mountain Judicial Circuit, passed away on January 28, 2025. He was born in Atlanta on July 3, 1963. He graduated from Milton High School, Valdosta State University, and received his Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law in 1989. He was a partner at Sanders, Smith, and Ranck from 1993-2010. He was the Stephens County Attorney from 2002-2007. He was appointed Judge of Superior Court, Mountain Judicial Circuit by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2010 and served in that position until his passing. He established and continued to preside over the Accountability Court programs in the Mountain Judicial Circuit.
Russell Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Barbara Smith; and his sister, Jennifer Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary Williams Smith; his daughter, Maggie Smith (Fiancé Justin Cline); and son, Benjamin Smith; sister, Karolyn (Jeff) Gossett; brother, Clif (Danielle) Smith; nieces, Jennifer (Christian) Lee, Rachel (Joshua) Hamilton, Kaden Kardell, Colette Kardell, Chloe Kardell; nephews, Adam (Alexandra) Gossett, Reese Gossett, Carter Kardell; uncles, Bill (Sara) Carter, and Lindsey (Judy) Smith.
Services were planned for Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. Matthias Episcopal church. The visitation was from 12-3 p.m. with the service beginning at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts to Habersham County Accountability Courts, 130 Jacobs Way, Suite 302, Clarkesville GA 30523. This fund supports the drug and mental health courts for the Mountain Judicial Circuit.
Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements for The Honorable Russell William Rusty Smith.