Carl Smithers

Carl William “Buddy” Smithers passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017, after a lengthy illness. A graveside service will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Beard family plot at Oak Hill Cemetery in Jasper. Rev. Alan Beasley of First United Methodist Church will officiate the service. Carl was born on July 25, 1937 near Harlan, Kentucky, but spent part of his childhood and teenage years in Jasper. After graduating from Walker County High School in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he attended East Tennessee State University. Carl spent most of his adult life in Knoxville, Tenn. with his loving family and numerous friends. A sales representative for various companies in the paper industry, he at one time was a business owner. After his retirement, he will be remembered by many as an associate at American Clothing in Knoxville. An avid golf and Alabama football fan, the last few years of his life were spent with great enthusiasm and joy in participating in and enjoying these sports with his many friends. Buddy will be remembered for his outgoing personality, his generous spirit, his love of life, and his enthusiasm especially related to spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Beard Thompson of Jasper; his father, Carl C. Smithers of Harlan, Kentucky; his in-laws, Martha and J.D. Price of Knoxville, Tenn.; many loving aunts and uncles, including Nellie Poer, W.A. Beard, and Iva and Wilson Beard; and his half-sister, Judy Smithers Hall (Larry) of Morrow, Ohio. He is survived by his daughter, Missy Smithers Milihouse (Todd-Retired USAF) of Navarre, Fla.; his son, former Lt. Cmdr. Michael T. Smithers of Pinehurst, N. C.; his high school sweetheart, who in 2012 joined with him in sharing the last years of his life, Virginia Bruce Brown; Virginia’s daughters, Barbara Brown Medders and Tina Brown Morrow; half-siblings, Robert Smithers (Pam) of Lexington, Ky., Jenny Smithers Hamilton (Leo) of Bardstown, Ky., and Larry Smithers (Sandy) of Lexington, Ky.; grandchildren, Haley L. Beckley (Zach) of Hebert, La., and Hunter Lowentritt of Louisiana Tech University in Rustin, La.; cousins, Elizabeth Radford of Knoxville, Tenn. and Brenda Beard of Jasper; the mother of his children, Toni Dubiel of Knoxville, Tenn.; and many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends, including his golfing companions at Musgrove Country Club in Jasper. Honorary pallbears will be members of Buddy’s golf family at Musgrove Country Club, Jim Raines, Bill Long, Gary Cushen, Milton Lay, Roman Brantley, Phil Greene, Dr. Eric Weuters, Mickey Drummond, Doug Gissendaner, Mike Kilgore, James Wade, and Raymond Bishop. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Walker Area Community Foundation, First United Methodist Church in Jasper, or a charity of your choice.