John Thomas Smith Smith, John Thomas, age 81, of Knoxville, TN, but always a Texan at heart, went to heaven to be with his Father on September 13, 2009, after a long and fulfilling life that saw him loved and respected by all who knew him.

John was born October 13, 1927 in Agua Dulce, Texas, to Charles Marion and Stella Vida Smith. He married the love of his life, Annyelee Howell, on August 26, 1950. They made their home in Kingsville, Texas until 1983. They then called Uvalde, Texas home until 1993, Lubbock, Texas home until 2003, when they moved to Knoxville, TN. All the moves were made to be closer to the family that he centered his life around. Most of John’s life was spent as a faithful servant of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He served as an elder of the Church of Christ both in Kingsville and Uvalde, Texas, and was a member of the Church of Christ at Karns in Knoxville, TN. He was a devoted father, a loving husband and a friend to all. John fought a long battle with cancer before escaping its grasp into the hand of the Father. His life was a story of courage, faith and optimism.

John was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Annyelee Smith; children, Vicki Smith Dawson and husband, Charles, of Powell, TN, Nancy Smith Gardner and husband, Gary, of Cary, NC, Brad Smith and wife, Debbie, of Lubbock, TX; grandchildren, Betsy Emerson and husband, Chad, of Montgomery, AL, Holly Noye and husband, Jeris, of Graceville, FL, Grant Gardner and wife, Heather, of Holly Springs, NC, Lauren Gardner of Durham, NC, Nikki Griggs and husband, Jason, of Lubbock, TX, Brett Smith of Lubbock, TX; greatgrandchildren, Owen, Dawson and Cullen Emerson, Maddox Noye, and Aylee Gardner; sisters, Dot Jordan and Robbie Jackson both of Corpus Christi, TX, Betty Smith of Troup, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with Mr. Edwin Jones officiating, minister of Karns Church of Christ. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, because of his special love for neglected children, the family suggests memorials to Ciudad de Angeles, 5240 Roswell Road NE, Marietta, GA 30062, or to a similar children’s charity of choice.

John met his goal, he fought the good fight, he kept the faith; he will be missed but never forgotten.

Click Funeral Home Farragut, 11915 Kingston Pike is serving the Smith family. www. clickfuneralhome.com