Jerry Smith Letson

Jerry Smith Letson was born in Birmingham, Ala on December 2, 1925 to Benjamin Franklin Letson and Lydia Maud Letson. He lived a full 94 years of life and is survived by his wife Walda Johnson Letson of Sun City, Bluffton, SC.

Jerry grew up in Birmingham, Ala., where he graduated from West End High School in 1943.  He was also a member of “The Central Park Boys”, a group of friends whom he grew up with in his neighborhood and who still meet once a year today.

Jerry began serving his country in 1943 during WWII. He had the honor of serving in both the United States Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine and in the US Army, and then in the National Guard to continue his service to his country.

Jerry graduated from Auburn University with a BA in Industrial Engineering.  He began his career with US Steel in Birmingham and retired in Atlanta, Ga in 1980.

In his retirement he was active in the Kiwanis Club in Atlanta, Ga., serving as Secretary for many years.  He and his wife, Walda moved from Conyers Ga. to Sun City Hilton Head in 2002.  In Bluffton they became active members of Bluffton United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities.  Jerry also loved playing billiards twice a week for 16 years with several of the neighborhood men.

In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by his sons, Jerry Russell Letson (Denise) of Silver Creek, GA and J. Allen Letson (Dana) of Temple, GA; daughters, Kimberly Elizabeth Laughary (Chris) of Thompson Station, TN and Tracy Elizabeth Treville (Alain) of Springhill, TN; grandchildren, Cory Russell Letson (Caroline), Mark Allen Letson (Brandy), Alexandria Elizabeth Laughary, Samantha E. Laughary, Lucien Treville, and Gabriel A. Treville; and great-grandchildren, Madden Campbell Letson, Cecilia Letson, and Russell M. Letson. He was preceded in death by his brothers, James Letson and Allen Letson, and sister, Jean Ash.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life service on Monday, July 20th at 11:00am, at Beaufort National Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bluffton United Methodist Church, PO Box 368, Bluffton, SC 29910