Raymond Leon Smartt, 83, of Ooltewah, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 15, 2019 surrounded by his family.
He was born in McMinnville, Tn., to the late Paul and Emma Queen Smartt. Leon was a graduate of Soddy Daisy High School and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he played football with the Tennessee Vols. Leon was a season ticket holder and VFL (Vol For Life) member. He served 2 years in the National Guard. The only job Leon had was with Roadway Express Trucking Company where he retired after more than 30 years of service. Leon was an avid Civil War Relic hunter, enjoyed planting and growing his own crops and loved to hunt and fish. He loved to travel, having traveled to Russia and Europe, from the East Coast to the West Coast starting in Canada. He and Faye also spent 5 weeks in Alaska camping and has traveled in 49 states. But the thing he loved most of all was spending time with his granddaughters and family camping on the lake property in Spring City. He was a longtime member of East Brainerd Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Smartt.
Leon is survived by his wife of 59 years, Faye Jones Smartt; children, Ray Smartt and Julie (Jeff) McKamey; granddaughters, Hannah, Allie and Leigh Anne McKamey; siblings, Larry (Bettie) Smartt, Charles (Phyllis) Smartt, Janie Margaret Gray, Brenda Wallworth, Ronnie, David, Glenn and Ricky Smartt; many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and 12-1 p.m. on Wednesday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Leon’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, at the North Chapel with Elder Steve Conn officiating. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Life Care of Ooltewah and nurses with Hospice of Chattanooga for their love and care given to Leon.
Memorial contributions may be made to East Brainerd Church of Christ, 7745 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421 or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416, www.hospiceofchattanooga.org
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.