A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Don was born January 16, 1935 in Harrisburg, Illinois, the son of James Bailey and Rosa McMain Smith. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Eleanor Knight Smith. He is also survived by his three daughters: Kathy (Marshall) Moorman of Macon, Georgia, Jennifer (Bob Pyle) Smith of Clinton, New Jersey, and Rachel (Barry) Turner of Ooltewah, Tennessee; 6 grandchildren: Chris Hill, Fawn Eady, Matthew Lemon, Kinsey English, Jackson Pyle, and Bailey Pyle; and 6 great-grandchildren: Brodie, Charles, Jack, Kitrick, Carter, and Loxley.
Services will be Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 10:45 AM at Ridout’s Chapel in Prattville, Alabama, officiated by Rev. Glenn Graham, Jr. Visitation will be held Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and Saturday from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Carpenters for Christ organization.
He retired after 23 years as a CMSgt in the United States Air Force, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, and made a second career as a Biomedical Engineer for hospitals in Alabama and Florida. For an encore, Don built a remodeling business in Prattville and spent his last 25 years helping people with home repairs and improvements. He was a deacon at East Memorial Baptist Church and spent many years putting his extensive carpentry and building skills to work through missions trips with Carpenters for Christ.
To his wife, he loved with a servant’s heart and gave everything he had to her up to his final days on earth. To his children and grandchildren, he not only taught integrity, honesty and humility with his words of wisdom but exemplified patience, grace, strength, and calm assurance under pressure.
Don never met a stranger, was the best problem-solver, loved to tell stories, was known for his ever-present sense of humor, and was truly one of the most selfless people you could find. With his time, skills, and heart Don loved his family and others as Christ loves us. Don would be there for you, even if it required great personal sacrifice. And the most wonderful thing about him was that he would never view it as a sacrifice on his part.
Don was known for his own catch phrases. One that we heard him say countless times when faced with a seemingly impossible task was “this is a small setback in a big operation.” Well, Dad. This appears to be the ultimate “small” setback in a big operation. It doesn’t feel small right now as we grieve the loss of you – it feels huge – but we rest in the knowledge we will see you again someday as part of God’s bigger plan.
We love you, Dad. Forever and always.
Checks can be made out to Autauga Baptist Association and mailed to:
Carpenters for Christ
c/o Autauga Baptist Association
326 Washington Street
Prattville, AL 36067
Please include that the donation is for Carpenters for Christ in the name of Don Smith.
For questions, feel free to email Karen Segura at [email protected] or call them at 334-365-7802.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18