James Michael Smith

James Michael Smith, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024, after a two-year battle with prostate cancer. Michael was born to Dr. James Henry “Jim” and Glenda Best Smith in Rome, Georgia, on April 8, 1972. He grew up in Rome; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Greenwood, South Carolina. It was in Rome that Michael began his lifelong love of listening to and collecting music, playing 45s on his toy record player long before he could read. His mother would draw pictures on the record label so that he could select and play his favorites without having to read the artist and song title. Later, in Greenwood, Michael developed his keen business sense—secretly selling candy bars in middle and high school and developing a network of “sales representatives” beneath him—and competing in marketing and business competitions with his high school Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter. After graduating from Greenwood High School in 1990, Michael attended Presbyterian College and Winthrop University where he graduated with a degree in business administration in 1994. Like his father, he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) and served as vice-president of the Winthrop University chapter. After college, Michael enjoyed a successful career in the corporate world before transitioning to selling residential real estate. It was the perfect job for Michael as he loved getting a good deal (for himself and his clients) and loved giving advice. He got his real estate license in 2003 and was an Atlanta REALTORS Association Top Producer every single year of his real estate career; he was awarded the association’s Crystal Phoenix Award at this year’s Top Producer banquet for twenty consecutive years of Top Producer status. Michael continued to sell real estate with Chapman Hall, REALTORS, and work diligently for his clients up until just a few weeks before his death. As much as Michael loved music, concerts and selling real estate, he loved his family even more. When Michael and his wife Toni first met, they bonded over a shared love of Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island where both had enjoyed family vacations as children. They were married in Lovely Lane Chapel on St. Simons Island on April 16, 2005, and enjoyed calling the island their home away from home. Michael was at his absolute happiest on the beach at Massengale Park or East Beach, listening to music, people watching and “riding the wild surf” with his son Brannen. Although Michael the businessman had a tough outer shell, Toni liked to say that he had a soft, gooey center. He was mischievous and playful with those he loved, especially his son, and could make his family laugh to the point of tears with his performative dancing and storytelling. He was passionate about politics and the plight of the homeless, hosting fundraisers at his home for the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, complete with live music, of course. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Dr. James Henry “Jim” Smith. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Toni Harville Smith, and son and namesake James Brannen Smith; mother, Glenda Best Smith of Greenwood, South Carolina; mother-in-law and father-in-law Nadyne Brannen Harville and Rodney Harville of Statesboro, Georgia; sisters, Cristie Smith of Rome, Georgia, and Gena Smith (Jim Ericson) of Charlotte, North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Teresa Harville Robbins (Dean) of Stilson, Georgia, and Tiffany Harville of St. Simons Island, Georgia; nieces Leah Mayo of Rome, Georgia, and Laura Robbins of Statesboro, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider giving blood or making a donation to the American Red Cross in Michael’s memory. During his cancer treatment and last few months of life, Michael was given countless blood transfusions that allowed him to spend more time with his family—and attend just a few more epic concerts. His family will always be grateful to blood donors who selflessly give life-saving and live-giving blood. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Bassel Nazha and the nurses and staff at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Center and to the staff of The Solana, East Cobb, who cared for Michael with such kindness and compassion. There will be a private celebration of life at Lovely Lane Chapel on St. Simons Island in August.