Beattie Jackson Smith Obituary (1934 - 2023)

Beattie Jackson (BJ) Smith age 89, of Cumming, Georgia passed away July 2, 2023. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 10th, 2023 at McDonald and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Cumming, GA. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. Beattie was originally from Nebo, Virginia. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1955 and was stationed throughout the US including two tours in Alaska. He led many teams as an Air Traffic Controller and upon his retirement, Senior Master Sargent Smith was the Chief Controller at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska. Although he was heavily recruited to run the Air Traffic Control Tower at several airports around the country, his love for Alaska and desire to be his own boss while working with his hands, led him to start his own Finish Carpentry Business. He was voted a number of times by "Parade of Homes" as the "Best Finish Carpenter in Eagle River, Alaska." There wasn't anything that BJ couldn't design, build, fix or figure out a way to improve--He was a MacGyver long before the show MacGyver came about. After years of a successful Carpentry Business, he retired again and moved back to his roots of Virginia building his retirement home. Unfortunately, a diagnosis of Parkinson's led to him becoming disabled where he eventually moved to Cumming, GA to be close to his daughter, Tammy and her family. BJ is survived by his two daughters, Cindi Buzitis (Buz) of Florence, Arizona, Tammy Hickel (Paul) of Cumming, Georgia, mother of his daughters, Mary Smith of Wytheville, Virginia, two grandchildren, Catherine Spratlin (Robert) of Marietta, Georgia and Jonathan Hickel (Amanda) of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Great Granddaughter Laurel Spratlin. Surviving brothers and sisters include Geneva Gentry (Ray) of Hampton, Virginia, Betty Yates of Indian Trail, North Carolina, and Burlie Jr. (June) Smith (Lauretta) of Rural Retreat, Virginia along with a host of nieces and nephews. BJ was an avid fisherman and hunter while living in Alaska. He loved all types of music especially Blue Grass and Gospel. He was a huge NASCAR and Football fan and enjoyed discussing the outcome of the races and games each Sunday with his daughter, Cindi. He LOVED to eat, and nothing made him happier than to sit down to a home cooked meal or dine in a favorite restaurant surrounded by family.