Michael Victor NeSmith

Mr. Michael “Tree Climber” NeSmith, age 62, was born on August 23, 1961, in North Carolina, to the late Bobby Byron NeSmith and Florina Jewel Foskey NeSmith. Mike was raised in Statesboro, GA and attended school in the Bulloch County School system, he was a part of Statesboro High School class of 198O until the age of 18 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he completed his education and served a short time. He was a self-taught residential and commercial painter by trade, always the life of the party and truly enjoyed his time spent surrounded by friends and family. He was an avid lover of the outdoors, Rock & Roll, watching NCIS re-runs, and could nearly repeat every scene in Lethal Weapon, his family is convinced that he was likely the film’s biggest fan. His greatest accomplishments in life were becoming a daddy and in his later years being promoted to Pepaw. His favorite quote was “Time waits for no man”. 

Michael peacefully departed this earthly world, surrounded by family on September 28, 2023, under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice. He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Kimberly Williams; and three grandsons, Christopher, Randall, and Brantley.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his partner of 37 years, Maria Daphne Welch of Statesboro; two daughters, Brittany NeSmith (Josh Rogers) of Statesboro and Christina Edwards (Carl Edwards, II) of Ellabell; seven grandchildren, Mia NeSmith, Scarlett NeSmith, Leia NeSmith, Aliyah (Brett) Dickey, Carl Edwards, III, Emma Edwards, and Aubrey Edwards; two brothers, Byron (Sue) NeSmith and Gregory NeSmith; a host of friends that he cherished as brothers; as well as many nieces and nephew.

Visitation will be held at Carlson & Riggs Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 1-2pm with a funeral service to follow in the chapel of the funeral home at 2pm.