Waldo Smith Sr.

October 27, 2010

Kingsport, Tennessee

Waldo W. Smith Sr. age 93, went home to be with the Lord on October 27, 2010, at Holston Manor Nursing Home. Waldo was born February 7, 1917, in Calvin (Bell County) Kentucky. He was the son of the late Cora Thompson and Edmund Arthur Smith.

Mr. Smith was a 1936 graduate of Wayland High School in Floyd County Kentucky. In 1938 he graduated from Cumberland Jr. College with a degree in elementary education after which he attended Morehead State University to acquire a business education degree. From 1940 – 1942 he was the first Floyd County Teacher to teach Business and Commerce at Wheelwright High School during the morning hours and McDowell High School in the afternoons.

Mr. Smith served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He received the Bronze Star for coolness, valor and efficiency in action; the Asiatic Pacific ribbon with three stars; and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with 2 stars. He served on the USS Indianapolis, which was President Roosevelt’s flagship. He later served on the great new aircraft carrier USS Wasp whose commissioning speech was given by Eleanor Roosevelt. He served on the USS Wasp as a gunnery control officer and a division officer. After serving on the Wasp, he served on the USS Portsmouth. In all, he completed 14 missions in the South Pacific. He was a life member of American Legion Post # 3.

In 1947 Mr. Smith graduated from Bowling Green Business University with an accounting degree. He later earned his C.P.A. license, a valuable asset when he worked a Tennessee Eastman during several summers. He received a Masters degree from George Peabody College where he was a Charter and a life member of the Omega Chapter 36 of Delta PI Epsilon. He came to Kingsport in 1947 and became a teacher at Dobyns-Bennett High School. He taught Business and was a chairman of the business department for thirty-seven years.

Waldo was a member of many organizations and held several offices in these organizations, including serving as President of the Kingsport Teachers Association.

He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Kingsport for 62 years and served as the assistant secretary of the Big Brothers Class.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his infant son, Charles Smith; sister Zella S. Archer; brother Paul Gentry Smith; granddaughter Crystal Leigh Safewright; and his loving wife of 66 years Fannie J. Smith.

Surviving are his son Waldo Wallace Smith, Jr. and wife Jean of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; daughter Charolotte S. Safewright and husband Stephen of Kingsport, Tennessee; granddaughter Heather Smith Jones and husband Matt of Lawrence, KS; granddaughter Erika Smith of Hilton Head, S.C.; grandson, Andy Safewright and wife Michelle of Maryville, TN; granddaughter, Katelyn Safewright and her Fiancé Jamie Hinson of Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Mr. Sonny Chandler, a most special and devoted friend to Waldo and his family.

Waldo will be so greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. We would like to thank all of the caretakers at Holston Manor Nursing Home and Amedisys Hospice of Kingsport for their loving care.

The Smith family will receive friends on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 1:00p.m. To 2:30p.m., at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Services will follow in the Chapel after the visitation with Dr. Ron Davis officiating.

A Military graveside will follow Funeral service with the American Legion Color Guard in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Please visit our website at www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave your condolences for the Smith family.

East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Smith family.