Rufus Smith

Rufus J. Smith age 92 a lifelong resident of the Lane town community in Niota, Tn passed Wednesday January 16, 2019.

He was a member of Lane Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church where he served on the trustee Board, Sunday School Superintendent, in the choir, and on the Board of Stewards. He and his wife Estella represented the church at all church events and conferences until their health prohibited them from going. Mr. Rufus and Ms Estella supported their church faithfully with tithes and offerings above and beyond what most would expect of an elderly couple. Many times, Mr. Rufus would canvas the community picking up the children so that they could attend joint Sunday school. He was a member of the masonic order, Equity Lodge# 313 in Sweetwater, TN

He served his country during World War II in the United States Army. And retired from TVA after 40 years of service there.

He is preceded in death by his parents Della Snowden Smith and Horace Smith, his loving wife of 67 years Estella Mae Hurst Smith and three sons, Dwane R. Smith, Garry L. Smith, and Curtis A. Smith, three sisters, Ellen Morris, Christine Taylor, and Inez Smith.

Survivors include one son, Ervin Edward (Elaine) Smith of Sweetwater, TN., daughter-in-law Grace Smith  of Athens, TN. Grandchildren, Dwayne (Sladi) Smith of Germany, Robert Smith  and Willie Smith both of South Carolina,  Zelda Smith of Michigan,  La-Tasha( Chris) Bryant of Knoxville, TN, Tammy and Barbara Smith of New York, Cassandra Smith of Marietta, Ga., Aaron Smith of Sweetwater, TN, Darron (Kendra) Smith of San Diego, Calif., Shonna Smith ( Jeff) Wilkins of Sweetwater, Julie Smith of Madisonville, TN, Reggie Smith of Sweetwater, TN, Jarmichael Smith of Oak Ridge, TN., Erin Cowley of Spring City, TN. Step-grandchildren, Sharon Bradley, Rebecca Moore, Ester Moore all of Athens, TN., Clinton Ray Moore, and Tonya McDermott of Niota, TN. Step-grandchildren, Jerrica Contreras and Rashard McSpadden both of Sweetwater, TN.  Thirty-two great-grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren, and a host of other nieces, and nephews, friends and family. Devoted caregiver, Veronica and Roger Clark.

Home Going services will be held Thursday January 24, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Lane’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church with pastor Rev. Hugh Dixson officiating. Family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church from 12:00 until 1:00p.m. Interment will follow at Sweetwater Memorial Park with military honor guard.