Donald Smith
Donald Wayne Smith, 79, formerly of Spring City and Soddy Daisy and recently a resident of the Sequatchie Valley, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2013.
He attended Ebenezer Baptist Church, served his country in the U.S. Army, retiring after 27 years of service, and a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam War. During his military career, he was assigned to the Presidential Honor Guard, serving on both President John F. Kennedy’s and General McArthur’s funerals. He presented the Torch Light service at the Washington Monument, Tomb of Unknown Soldier and Arlington National, as well as serving on the Presidential Honor Guard.
After his military career, Don was a fugitive detective with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and the Soddy Daisy Police Department. Continuing to serve, he drove veterans for the DAV to the veteran’s hospitals in Murfreesboro and Nashville and was a certified clown. He loved to play bluegrass music and enjoyed spending his time with his family that he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie Wheeler Smith and Bartley Henderson Smith; brothers, Claude, James and Glen Smith; and sisters, Lucille Atkins and Emma Kate Calbough.
Survivors include his wife, Rosa Brown Smith; son, Richard (Judy) Smith of Maynardville; stepsons, Russell (Pam) Brown of Soddy Daisy and Steven Brown of Dunlap; stepdaughters, Donna (Beaver) Durham of Chattanooga and Sharon (William) Wofford of Signal Mountain; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Wednesday, December 11 in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Geno Bennett, Sheriff Jim Hammond and Rev. Eugene Kilgore officiating. A family graveside service was held at Spring City Cemetery with his niece, Brenda Dodson, presenting a eulogy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the veteran’s association of your choice.
Condolences and memories can be shared at williamsonandsons.com.
Williamson and Sons Funeral Home of Soddy Daisy was in charge of arrangements.
