David Phillip Smith

Augusta, GA- David Phillip Smith, age 86, entered into rest on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 after a short illness. He was a 1952 graduate of Richmond Academy. After graduation he joined the Navy where he trained as a Hospital Corpsman. Assigned to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland he was proud to have personally cared for U.S.M.C. General Chesty Puller and Fleet Admiral of the Navy Earnest King. After leaving the Navy as a Petty Officer he graduated from Augusta College and later earned Juris Doctor and Master of Law degrees.

Active in Richmond County politics, he served on the Richmond County Board of Education from 1969 to 1972. He owned David Smith Detective Agency, and for 49 years specialized in finding missing persons and serving subpoenas throughout the southeast. A long-time member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, he had served as past president of his Sunday school class and chairman of the grounds committee.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his daughter Dianne Smith. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Peggy Boatright Smith and his sons David Smith, Jr. of Union, SC and Steve Smith of Gallatin, TN. He is also survived by his grandchildren Philip Smith of Augusta, Daniel Smith of Nashville, TN, and Kathryn Smith and Joseph Smith of Union, SC.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park with Rev. Steve Pattison officiating.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com