Joe D. Smith

Joe David Smith, age 89 exchanged earthly life for his eternal home on Sunday January 15, 2017, surrounded by family.
Joe was retired from Bowaters Pulp and Paper and had also worked at Oak Ridge Nuclear Plant. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean War.
Joe was united in marriage to Johnnie Mae Hawkins in August 1956 and to this union was born four children. He loved life and you could always find him doing something outside. He loved taking care of his animals and continued to do so until the end. Joe was a lifelong member of the Lane Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, serving in many capacities under several pastors and he will be missed.

Joe was preceded in death by an infant son, his father and mother Rev. David and Minnie Lane Smith. Sisters, Lafreda(Troy) Moore, Oggie Mae(Theodore) McDermott, brothers, Alonzo (Lucy) Smith, William (Viola) Smith, Lloyd Smith, Rev. Calvin(Mary Frances) Smith, and Fred Smith. Sister-in-law, Almetta(Reagan) Wells, and brother-in-law, Arthur Hawkins.
Left to mourn his passing, his loving wife of 60 years Johnnie Mae Smith, daughters, Brenda Parks of Niota, Tn., and Angela(Kim) Farner of Cartersville, Ga., son, Nashaun (Rachel) Smith of Niota, Tn. Grandson, Hayden Smith, brother, Phillip Smith, sister-in-law Zella Mae Smith. Devoted and special nephew and nieces, Larry and Debra Wells, Lisa Ramsey, Regenia Smith, Veronica Clark and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special friends, Rev. John D. Howell of Knoxville, Tn.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 19, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of M.D. Dotson & Sons Funeral Home – Athens, Tn., with Rev. John D. Howell officiating and Sister Veronica Clark delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends one hour before the service from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at McMinn Memory