Ludowici Sgt. Stefan M. Smith, 24, was killed in action July 23, 2013 in Afghanistan. He served in the US Army for three years and was currently assigned to the 4th B Company 315 Infantry 4th Brigade 3rd ID. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumous. He was a native of Valley, Alabama and graduated from Lagrange High School. Stefan served as city police officer in Glennville. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Fred and Oleta Jabaley; and paternal grandfather, Roy Smith. Survivors include his wife Kristi Smith of Ludowici; children, Dewey, Denver, and Gracie Smith of Ludowici; father and stepmother, CW-4 Patrick Smith and Gisele of Leesville, LA; mother and stepfather, Lisa Jabaley Mallory and Robert Hodgkins of River Ridge, LA; stepbrothers, Special Agent, Gabriel LaForest US Army, Italy and National Guard of Louisiana Specialist Patrick LaForest of Leesville, LA; maternal grandmother, Evelyn Smith of Texarkana, Arkansas; and step grandfather, Francis Hodgkins of River Ridge, LA. Visitation will be 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2013 at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 4, 2013 at New Beginnings Church with Rev. Tom Gardner officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Stefan and Kristi Smith’s residence 1096 Stewart Hodge Loop NE Ludowici, GA 31316. Online condolences can be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

The funeral cortege for our fallen soldier Sgt. Stefan Smith will be leaving Carter Funeral Home at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, August 4 traveling west of Hwy 84 to Hwy 57 where it will end at New Beginnings Church in Ludowici.

Army
B Company
3 Bn 15 Infantry Regiment
4th Brigade
3rd Infantry Division