Edmund Gayle Smith, 77, a well known former business owner in Albany, passed away Sunday, May 20, in Monticello.

He was born on January 17, 1934, and was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Allen Smith, who passed away in 2007.

Smith is survived by one son, James Allen (Lisa) Smith of Albany, and one daughter, Vanessa (Ron) Dunnington, of Monticello.

Two grandchildren, Brandon (Ashley) Dunnington and Laura Ellen Dunnington, both of Monticello, also survive, along with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Frederick Smith, and two sisters, Betty Long and Marie Robinson.

Smith was the former co-owner of the J.B. Smith and Sons Hardware and Grocery that was located on the west side of the Albany square, and he was also involved in several other local organizations, in addition to having served on the Albany City Council, a seat he held when the current Albany City Hall was constructed.

Smith for many years traveled to Trooper Island Camp on Dale Hollow Lake each week during the summer camping season, to host a weekly nondenominational church service in the Chapel on Trooper Island. This was one of the missionary projects of the church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, the Albany First Baptist Church. He was also a long-time civilian member of the Trooper Island Camp Board of Directors.

Funeral Services were held Wednesday, May 23, at the Albany First Baptist Church, at 2:00 p.m., with Bro. Jeff Brown and Bro. Keith McKim officiating. Burial was in the Albany Cemetery.

The family has asked that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Trooper Island Camp, P.O. Box 473, Albany, KY 42602.