Terrell Bishop Smith, Sr.

He was born on April 4, 1932, in Sylacauga, Alabama. He was a graduate of Sylacauga High School in Sylacauga, Alabama. Enlisted in the US Navy, where he served his country on the USS William C. Lawe from 1951 to 1955. After serving his country he attended and graduated from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama in January 1959.

Ted lived an incredible and long life touching so many people throughout the years with his generosity, kindness, and humor. He loved his family and dedicated his life to providing for his wife and children. He taught his family hard work, dedication, perseverance, and loyalty, but most importantly he exemplified selflessness and sacrifice.

Ted had a career in the tire retreading business that began in Birmingham, Alabama, moving to Muscatine, Iowa from 1975 – 1979 where he was the VP of North America’s Sales for Bandag and President & CEO of Vakuum Vulk, later returning to Birmingham in 1979 where he continued his career at Robins Tire and Rubber and was Owner of two retread shops in West Memphis, Arkansas and Nolensville, Tennessee, with a distribution center in Fulton, Kentucky which he continued to wheel and deal into his retirement years. He was an avid fan of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football, enjoyed traveling, but most importantly loved spending time with his family and friends.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all that knew him. He will be deeply missed by his adoring family and friends. Ted is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years (January 30, 1960) Katherine Growall Smith; son & daughter-in-law, Terrell Bishop Smith Jr. “Terry” & Stacy Smith; daughter, Gretchen Smith; daughter & son-in-law, Amy & Andrew King; and his grandchildren: Terrell Bishop Smith III “Trey”, Blake & Morgan Smith, Drew & Shelby King, David King, Sarah King, and his great grandchildren: Emma, Holly, & Myles Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of dear friends over the years. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Hoke DeWitt Smith Sr. and Tommie Louise Smith, brother, Hoke DeWitt Smith Jr., sisters, Dorothy Jo "Dot" Smith & Louise Stevens "Bebe" Smith.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 23rd starting at 11 A.M. with the service to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Ted Smith following at 12:00 P.M. at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama. Interment will follow at the Gilliland’s House in Goodwater, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, Charlie Five, P.O. Box 992, Edgewood, NM 87015 https://charliefive.org/fundraising