For decades he did publicity stunts being buried alive. Here’s an article from 1979, one of the last easily searchable public records of him. In the unlikely event he’s still alive, he’d be about 100.
This article dated July 21, 2015 attempts to answer the same question:
Maybe they forgot where they buried him.
tracked him down to a tomato patch in Cumming, Ga… in 1979.
I am told Herbert “Digger” Smiths official middle name is Odell, and he was 63 in 79… so born circa 1913
I can enlighten you. I’m watching the Cavs beat golden State, but will post at halftime. 
This is one long halftime.
I used to know a guy named Bob “Digger” O’Dell. He was a little odd, but I don’t think he went around getting himself buried. I had no idea why he wanted to be called Digger until my Dad told me about the Friendly Undertaker radio character. I wasn’t familiar with the publicity stunt guy, though. I wonder which one my friend took his name from.
Yeah. And then I had to watch last half, then all the hoopla after the game and then–I was tired.
So, here goes.
Herbert O’Dell Smith was a pretty interesting guy. Not only getting buried and then dug up, he was first a flagpole sitter.
I have access to Ancestry at home(I subscribe) and I pay for access at home to 4 historic newspaper databases.
He was born June 10, 1915 to William E. and Mary Alice Smith. He died 23 May 1999 in Dawsonville/Atlanta GA. Buried in Cumming, GA.
More in a bit.
In prisons in Georgia between 35-1941. Army paratrooper 1942-1944. Ran out on his wife and four kids in 1949. Brought back to Atlanta on warrants in 1950. Abandoned them again 1961. Brought back on warrants. Was mainly being buried 1960-1979. Buried for the last time in 1999. Never dug up from that one.
Thanks, all!
Damn! Knew I forgot something!
(Runs out of house with shovel in hand)