John "Big John" Smith, 86, of Clarksville, TN, died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at Baptist Hospital. He was born on September 3, 1926 in Jordan Springs, Tennessee to the late John Herman Smith and Ruth Shelby Smith. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Blackwell Smith.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel with Dr. Roger Freeman and Rev. Larry Riley officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. with a masonic service to follow and Friday, February 22, 2013 from 9 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Big John was WWII U.S. Army Veteran and civil service lineman. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Clarksville, Masonic Lodge 761, and Al Menah Shriners.
He is survived by his daughter, Anne (Sam) Weems of Clarksville, TN and two granddaughters, Sara (Rob) Denson and Samantha Weems of Clarksville, TN.
Pallbearers will be Boone Smith, Mike Seis, Michael Seis, John Henry Smith, Jacob Hite, and Rob Denson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner's Childrens Hospital. Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.