Thomas Lee Smith
Thomas Lee Smith was born on November 8, 1940, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late Villard and Lena Mae Smith. Thomas was the fourth of nine siblings. He spent his formative years on the Westside, Willow, and Blackford Streets.
He departed this life at Memorial Hospital on April 11, 2024, after a lengthy, courageous battle with renal and cardiovascular disease. Thomas graduated from Howard High School, Class of 1960 and later attended Tennessee State University. He began working for the DuPont plant in 1963 and dedicated 35 years of service, retiring in 1998.
Thomas was baptized and served as a deacon at Mt. Joy Baptist Church. Thomas was affectionately known as “Uncle Joe or Joe” to family and friends. He was a son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great- grandfather. There was no limit to what he would do to see his family happy. He loved music and “Watercolors- Smooth Jazz” was his favorite. He will always be remembered for his easy-going and quiet spirit. Thomas loved traveling to new destinations, watching football and basketball games in person in his younger days and on tv in his later years. He also loved baseball and his favorite team was the Atlanta Braves.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Villard and Lena Mae Smith; brothers, Rousaw Smith, David Smith; sisters, Mabel (Fredrick) Ramsey and Betty White; son, Kevin Talley; niece, Darlene Bedford; nephews, Larry Hampton, Phil Hampton, Donald Ramsey, Ricky Smith and Omari Nolton; sister-in-law, Geraldine Mays Smith and brother-in-laws, William “Sonny” Chambers and Jimmy Greer.
He leaves to cherish his memories, a devoted and attentive wife of 42 years, Carolyn; loving children, Tracy Smith Benton, and Tammy Smith; sisters, Virginia (Billy) Spann, Violet Nolton, Marilyn Smith and Doris Smith. Thomas also leaves behind grandchildren, Terea (Brandon) Howard, Patricia Talley, Damion Strong, Taryn Smith and Taylen Smith; great-grandchildren, Kennedi Talley, Brea Howard, Nyjah Swafford and Blake Swafford; a special brother-in-law, Roderick Greer, and a host of special nieces, nephews and friends.
Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at New Monumental Baptist Church, 901 Woodmore Lane, Chattanooga, with a funeral service to follow.
Entombment will be on Monday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, 1954 Greenwood Road, Chattanooga.