John Edward Smith, Jr., born January 16, 1942 in Pineville, KY, went home on July 1, 2021, to be with Jesus, whom he came to know as Savior at the age of 7 in Vacation Bible School. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. For 30 years “Mr. Ed” was a preschool Sunday School teacher, and nothing gave him greater joy than to know that one of “his kids” had trusted in Jesus as Savior. Ed is preceded in death by his parents, John Ed and Ethel (Hooper) Smith.
He is survived by his wife, Maree, and children: Mendy (Brent) Conner, Karen Smith, Ashley (John) Mays, Emily Hogan, Julie (Jake) Coffman, Landon (Emily) Hogan, and 15 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Skelton, and special aunt, Allene Montgomery.
Ed was a graduate of Fulton High School. After serving in the Navy Seabees, he and his dad established John Ed Smith & Son. In 1996 he opened Knoxville Recycling, a scrap metal recycling company, which he owned and managed until his retirement in 2017. Romans 8:28 was Ed’s favorite Bible verse, and he enjoyed sharing his faith and the secret of his joy with the medical staff and others he met as he faced numerous health challenges the past four years.
His family is grateful to friends, especially neighbors, who offered their love and support, particularly during the Covid quarantine/confinement. A special thanks goes to the staff of UT Hospice for its care and encouragement.
Friends may drop by Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 and Sunday, July 4, 2021 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. A Celebration of Life will be held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 2500 Maryville Pike on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Mike Powell will be officiating. The Celebration of Life Service will be live streamed on the Berry Funeral Home Facebook page. The family will have a private graveside service at Sherwood Memorial Gardens on Monday, July 5, 2021. The family invites friends to share memories and sign the online guestbook at www.berryfuneralhome.com.
