Mr. James D. Smithson

COTTONDALE James D. Smithson, age 83, of Cottondale, died May 6, 2010, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Donald Springer, Ken Cheek, Ed King, and Robert Sprung officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos and Ethel Smithson, and his siblings, Mike and Gladys Smithson.

Survivors include his wife, Neal Smithson of Cottondale; his daughter, Joan Jackson (John) of Cottondale; his sons, Dudley Smithson and Don Smithson (Irene), both of Cottondale; his sister, Dot Tidmore of Tuscaloosa; his brother, Morris Smithson (Bob) of Cottondale; his grandchildren, Wendy Barger (Tommy), Tres Jackson (Tara), Bryant Jackson, Jared Jackson, Melinda Christian, Trip Smithson (Britni), Reba Smithson, and Major Smithson; and eight great-grandchildren.

James was born in Hale County, Ala. He graduated from Moundville High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master's degree, and an AA in Education from the University of Alabama. He attended Howard College and Southeastern Seminary. He worked at BF Goodrich. He taught Alabama history at Tuscaloosa High School, where he also served as an assistant principal and guidance counselor at Tuscaloosa Area Vocational School. He pastored Baptist churches in Tuscaloosa and Hale Counties, including New Hope, Stewart, Elrod, Corinth, Carrolls Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Mount Hebron.

Pallbearers will be Tres Jackson, Bryant Jackson, Jared Jackson, Trip Smithson, Major Smithson, and Tim Weaver.

Honorary pallbearers are Juanita Lee, Amedisys, Spine Care Center, teachers of the City School System, pastors of Tuscaloosa County and Hale County Baptist Associations, South Highlands Church, and all members of churches where he had previously pastored.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to South Highland Baptist Church, 128 39th St. E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405.

Condolences may be offered at www.memorychapelfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Memory Chapel Funeral Home, Tuscaloosa, AL.