Sgt. Maj. (ret.) James F. Smith and Barbara A. Smith will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the William Daniell house, 1170 Flounders Blvd., Watkinsville. The event will also include refreshments and dancing.

The anniversary event is being hosted by their children, David Smith, Dawn Smith, Dana Martin and godson Andrew Richardson and his wife, Susan Richardson.

The Smiths were married at Leah’s Methodist Church in Louisburg, N.C. on Nov. 2, 1958. They have five children, two deceased, and six grandchildren.

Mr. Smith is from High Point, N.C., and Mrs. Smith is the daughter of the late Percy and Christine Joyner of Louisburg, N.C. She graduated from Bunn High School in 1953.

Mr. Smith served in the military for 30 years, serving over 10 years overseas in the Far East in the Japanese Occupation, Korean War and Vietnam Conflict, also in Okinawa. He received many service rewards and personal achievement awards, notably The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (four awards), Vietnam Staff Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal (nine awards). He retired from the military in 1981. He then continued work in the Civil Service for 14 years and then retired in Savannah.

Mrs. Smith traveled with her husband through most of his careers working at four banks, Civil Service, teaching and The Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. She has served as president in many social organizations and volunteer projects at various locations where they have lived. These include locations in the U.S., Japan, Alabama and Okinawa. She was nominated as Military Wife of the Year when they were stationed at The Army Security Agency in the Washington, D.C., area.

The Smiths are currently retired in Savannah. They attend Zion Lutheran Church in Guyton.