Jack Donald Smith

Reverend Jack Donald Smith, 88, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed April 2, 2019. 

Jack was born to Kirxie Kansel and Jesse Myrtle, January 8, 1931, in Cumberland, Kentucky.  He graduated with a bachelors from Lee College and a Masters from Eastern Kentucky in Richmond, Kentucky.

 He married Elizabeth Lucille Botkin in 1956 and they pastored churches together in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, Louisiana, and Arkansas.  Together they raised 4 children.

He leaves as his legacy 4 children: Nona Carver (Hugh), Gwen Smith, Beth Taylor (Jeff), Jack II (Lisa).  He also leaves to cherish his memory 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 siblings Rodney Smith and Sharon Tibetts and many nieces and nephews that he loved. His family will remember him as a loving father with a great sense of humor and contagious smile, who loved to travel.

He was preceded in death by Tyler Hugh Carver (grandson), Dexter Smith (brother) Mary Lois Hall (sister), Paul Smith (brother), Virginia Garrison (sister).

Jack was a Minister until he retired in 2005 and was passionate about praying and consoling others in their time of need.  He was also a decorated veteran in the United States Marine Corp. and fought in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart. He worked as director of a community agency called Progress for People that served people in Bradley, McMinn, Meigs and Polk Counties.  He was a professor at Lee College and Jimmy Swaggart Bible College.    He was Minister of Education, Associate Pastor and Interim Pastor at North Cleveland Church of God. 

 A Celebration of Life and Home going for Reverend Jack Smith will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2019 from the Sanctuary of North Cleveland Church of God with Rev. Mark Williams and Rev Mitch Maloney officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019 at the church.

 In Lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made to Bless the Children Home in honor of Tyler Carver@ Church of God World Missions. The project number is 731-1143-383. Guyana Tyler Carver.

The family would also like to thank Legacy Village of Cleveland for their loving care at the end of Jack’s life.

We invite you to send a message of comfort and view the family guestbook at www.serenityfunerals.com

Serenity of Cleveland Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.