Philander Knox Smartt, Sr.
Philander Knox "PK" Smartt, Sr. 85, of Ooltewah, died at a local hospital on Wednesday, June 2, 2004, after a short illness.
He served in the United States Navy during World War II and then began a 40 year career with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served an eighteen month mission with his wife in the Lagos Nigeria Africa Mission in 1985. In 1989 he and his wife returned to serve a one year mission in the Monrovia Liberia Africa Mission. They were the first missionaries to this mission for the Church. He was presently serving as assistant to the High Priest Group Leader of the Brainerd Ward. After returning from his mission he began working for Moore & King and has worked for them full-time until the day of his hospitalization.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Juanita Louise Smartt.
He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Jean Smartt Posey; son, Phil K. Smartt Jr.; 10 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Avis Meeks, Murfreesboro Tenn., and Eva Russell, Cleveland, Tenn.
The family gives special thanks to his friend and nurse, Doris Price.
Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Brainerd Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3067 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, with Brother Bryan Voyles officiating.
Private burial will be held in Chattanooga National Cemetery for the family with full military honors.
Condolences may be sent to www.heritage fh.com.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and from noon Saturday until the hour of the service at the church.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.