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Official Obituary of

Marvin "Bali" Ballenger Smith

April 10, 1954 ~ February 5, 2021 (age 66) 66 Years Old

Marvin "Bali" Smith Obituary

Marvin Ballenger “Bali” Smith of Dublin, GA passed away peacefully on February 5,2021, after an extended illness. He was 66 years old.

Bali was born on April 10, 1954, in Jesup, GA to Ralph Ballenger Smith and Betty Clark Smith. He was the oldest of 4 children. Bali often shared fond memories of his childhood and teenage years helping in his father’s pharmacy. Upon graduation from the University of Georgia, Bali began his career as a teacher and coach at Washington-Wilkes Middle School. After several years, he relocated to East Laurens High School to continue his passion. It was there that he met his loving wife of 33 years, Kit Compton Smith. Bali and Kit have three children, Jayme, Wesley, and Bradley.

Coach Smith, as he was fondly known, retired from East Laurens High in 2010 after 32 years. Following his retirement, he developed a love of photography and was often seen at basketball games, wrestling matches, and on the sidelines of many football games photographing for the local newspaper. During this time, Bali was also able to pursue his love for golf and could be found many days at Riverview Golf Course.

While he had many hobbies including music, boating, reading, and traveling, his greatest joys were his three grandsons. Over the last five years, he enjoyed babysitting his two youngest grandsons. He was responsible for their spoiling and would never let them leave without Juicy Fruit gum or a piece of candy.

Bali was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Ballenger and Betty Clark Smith. He is survived by his wife, Kit; children, Jayme McGowan, Wesley (Britney) Smith, both of Dublin, and Bradley (Lauren) Smith of Atlanta; grandchildren, Logan McGowan, Weston Smith, and Brooks Smith; siblings Jeanne (Roch) Johnson of Salem, SC, Press (Cheryl) Smith of Hinesville, GA, and Lollie (Shawn) Crosby of Jesup, GA; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Friends may drop-in to pay their respects from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home. Services for Mr. Smith will be held privately.

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