John Lee Smith's Obituary
John Lee Smith, 97, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Born January 5, 1926, in Nashville, he was the son of the late Earl Shaffer Smith and Mattie Pearl Dearman Smith.
John was raised in East Nashville and graduated from Isaac Litton High School. He then went on to graduate from Milligan College and the University of Tennessee. He received his law degree from the Nashville School of Law. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Mr. Smith worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority for 35 years and retired as a District Manager. He was a member of Antioch United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Jane Boehms Smith; infant sons Joseph, Jonathan and Jason; a grandson Sumner Smith; brothers James Smith, Bradley Smith, and George Smith; sister Earline Tyler.
He is survived by his daughter Joni Batson, sons Jeff (Kelly) Smith, Jerry (Tanya) Smith, and Jay (Shannon) Smith; grandchildren Jonathan and Jeremy (Laura) Batson, Jessica and Jacob Smith, Ryan, Alex, and Trey Smith, Riley Baker, Tom and Lily Smith; great grandchildren Emmaline and Ethan Batson; and lots of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, March 3, from 4 pm until 8 pm at Spring Hill Funeral Home in Nashville. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service conducted by Dr. Rick Barker will be conducted on Saturday, March 4, at 12 pm noon. The family will receive friends and visitors two hours prior to the funeral service. Burial with military graveside honors will follow in the Historic Spring Hill Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
or
Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216. “Where Nashville Comes to Remember.”
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