Obituary of Carl E. Smith

Carl E. Smith, 74 of Dayton passed away Thursday, October 27, 2016. The son of the late Thomas and Lena Denton Smith, he was also preceded in death by his brothers, Bill Denton, Marion Thomas and Edward Smith. Carl was a longtime member of Smyrna Baptist Church and was also a member of Dayton Masonic Lodge #512 F&AM. Carl had been a firefighter, before his retirement for nearly forty years beginning as a volunteer with the Dayton Fire Department where he eventually served as chief in the 1970s. He had also served as a deputy sheriff with the Rhea County Sheriff's Department and eventually retired from the Lookout Mtn., Georgia Fire and Police Department. Until Friday, October 21, 2016 he had driven a school bus for Rhea Co Department of Education of which he found so much joy. Carl was also an avid Rhea County Golden Eagle and Tennessee Volunteers fan, especially the football teams. Because of his love of the Eagles and Vols it was his request that no services be held that would interfere with fans attending or watching the games. For this reason services will not be held on Friday or Saturday. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Hood Smith, Dayton; children, Kathy (Steve) Johnson, Knoxville, Stephen Smith, Chattanooga, Kim (Darvin Wilkey) Walker and Kristie Wallin, of Soddy Daisy; sisters, Naomi (Melvin) Harrison, Hixson, Mary Lou Wilkey, Dayton, Ann Mason, Dayton, Joyce Stutzenburger, Troutman, NC; brother, David (Debra) Smith, Dayton; sister in law, Betty Denton, Hixson; grandchildren, Jessica (Shaun) Wehe, Stephanie (Shane) Steeves, Morgan Gonzales, Shelby Wallin, Cody Walker, Dennis (Jenny) Hughes, Kenneth (Tara) McNeal, Emily and Tiffany Wilkey; several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Services will be at 1 P. M., Monday, October 31, 2016 in the chapel of Coulter Garrison Funeral Home with Rev. Roger Rothwell and Rev. Bill Ewing officiating. Interment will follow in Spence Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 - 8 P. M., Sunday, October 30, 2016 and 12 - 1 P. M. Monday at Coulter Garrison Funeral Home with Masonic Rites conducted at 7 P. M. Sunday. In lieu of flowers Carl requested that memorials be made to Graysville Volunteer Fire Department, 136 Harrison Ave., Graysville, TN 37338 of to Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607. Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Soddy-Daisy 843-2525 Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.legacyfuneralhome.com.