He is now together again with his wife and soul mate, Betty Gregory Smith. He is also preceded in death by his adoring daughter,Vicki Smith Culler, much loved grandparents, Oscar and Ida Smith (Papaw and Mamaw), mother Irene Smith Babb, precious uncle and aunt, Verlin and Audrey Smith, and dear cousins, Clemma Smith and Joseph Smith. Also two special brothers-in-law, James Gregory of Seymour, Tennessee and Mark Baxley of Atlanta, Georgia. One sister-in-law, Gina Gregory of Phoenix, Arizona and close friends, Lewis Stroud and Bill Brown.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kyle Richard "Rick" and Sandra Susong Smith, grandchildren, Tonya Chandley, Christopher Kyle "Chris" Smith, Angie Edwards, Bridget (and David) Jennings, and Sarah Smith, great grandchildren, Christopher Kyle Smith, LeAnn Shepherd, Zackary Smith, Katrina Smith, Kyle Jennings, and William Kyle, Ronnie and Bobby Hensley. He is also survived by two dear sisters-in-law, Vivian Baxley of Kennesaw, Georgia and Mickey Gregory of Seymour, Tennessee, brother-in-law, Benjamin Gregory of Jefferson City, Tennessee and very close family friend, Zan Walker, born on the same day in November which they celebrated together just days before. Also many special cousins and friends too numerous to count.
Kyle and Betty (Mamie and Pa) built an amazing life starting while he was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina during the Korean War. They welcomed two beautiful children and then traveled back to Greeneville to settle in a home in the College hills (Tusculum Community). He began his career at Pet Dairy, ice cream division, and eventually retired there as shop manager of the truck fleet. While there, he created lifelong friendships with the gentlemen that he worked with, lived next to, and went to church with. This small group of men were able to spearhead the movement to incorporate the Tusculum Community and they were also responsible for the creation of the Tusculum fire station where they all happily volunteered their time to restore an antique fire engine.
Eventually Kyle and Betty wanted to find their place in the country and they found this slice of heaven on 40 acres along the Nolichucky River in Chuckey. Both Kyle and Betty were country at heart and spent many joyful years raising crops and herds of cattle. On this farm , they created a home that was a welcoming retreat for all who came and visited. If you ever found your way to their doorstep, you would find yourself wrapped in love and handed a plate of Betty's wonderful home cooked food.
Kyle and Betty were lifelong members of Oak Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Tusculum. He dearly loved his time with his Men's Sunday School Class and will be leaving behind his close friends Leroy Lynch and Terry Hartman.
If you knew Kyle you loved him. He will be deeply missed and his absence will be felt by all those who had the great blessing of knowing him while he was here.
Special thanks to Alex and all those at Caris whom shared their love with our family. Thank you Candace, Robin and all the girls at "Home Instead" for all the support and love they showed our Pa.
Visitation will be held at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home on Saturday, December 16, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held the following day on Sunday, December 17, at 2 pm with interment immediately following at River Hill Memorial Cemetery.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com
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