John M Smith

John M. Smith, Age 92 of Vestavia, passed away Sunday, June 1. He was born to Wordlaw and Victoria Knight Smith on February 7, 1922 and moved to Lawrenceburg, TN. At a very young age his parents died and he was raised by his grandparents, Elonzo and Nancy Knight in Hanceville, AL. From 1942-1945 he served in the Army Air Corp during WWII in England, France, and Germany. He married Mary Elizabeth Whitten on June 19, 1947. A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, he served as a deacon from 1961-1964 and as an elder from 1965-1989 at Central Church of Christ in Birmingham, AL. He was recently attending Riverchase Church of Christ. John retired from the Birmingham Water Works in 1987 after 37 years.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary; daughters, Vickie Smith Love (Norman), Debbie Smith Thompson (Joe), Ginger Smith and Jill Bates; grandchildren, Michelle Love Ames (David), Norman Love, III, John G. Thompson, Jessica M Thompson, and Andrew J. Thompson; great grandchildren, Dylan A Ames, Bailey L Ames, and Hayden E Love .

Visitation will be Tuesday at Southern Heritage from 10:00 until 11:00 am with a chapel service at 11:00. Burial will be in southern Heritage Cemetery.