Bart Smith

Lt. Bart Smith

Lt. Bart Smith (Charles Barton Smith), age 64 passed away Sunday, June 10, 2012. Bart was tenacious during the last year as he fought AML (Leukemia) like the true solider he was, never complaining about the long journey. Surrounded by the unending love of his wife, family and friends, Bart slipped peacefully into the arms of the Lord. Awaiting him was his Mother, Father, grandparents, brother, son, brother-in-law and "Contact" for his glorious arrival into Heaven.

Lt. Smith was a lifelong resident of the Blackman Community. He was the son of the late William Christopher and Thelma Miller Smith. He was preceded in death by his child; Christopher Barton Smith, brother; Hooty Smith and grandparents; Ernest Manson and Eunice Christopher Smith, Alberta McKee Miller and special friend; William "Contact" Carney.

Lt. Smith was a 1967 graduate of Central High School. During high school and years beyond, he worked at Woodfin Funeral Chapel. He served in the US Army by protecting our freedom in the Vietnam War from 1968-1970 receiving a host of medals, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Valor. He came home to Murfreesboro and entered the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. Bart proudly served the citizens of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County with thirty-nine years of law enforcement service, ending with the onset of illness. Simultaneously, Bart served as a private contractor-school bus owner/operator (Bus 150 and Bus 184) for Rutherford County Schools for over twenty-five (plus) years. Bart served many schools around Rutherford County with daily transportation to school and transportation for ballgames, band trips/competitions for Riverdale, Oakland, Siegel and his beloved Blackman. Bart never thought he had enough to do; therefore, he worked part time for twenty (plus) years for Tennessee Auto Auction (Manheim) and the Murfreesboro Auto Auction. His love for people and his magnetic personality allowed him to flourish in the "loves" of his career. In his spare time, he loved having a few cows and calves around, something he grew up with, as he was the son of 6th generation farmer in the Blackman Community on the "Manson Pike". Bart loved to be busy and if he had any spare time, he loved to relax and have good times with his family and friends. Bart was an avid Nascar, UT football, Titans football and Elvis Presley Fan. Elvis visited Murfreesboro's Murphy Center for a show and Bart had the privilege of serving as his escort while in town with MPD. He was a member of the Rutherford County Sportsman's Club and Blackman Methodist Church. Bart's love for people and his magnetic personality allowed him to flourish in his career and into his relationships with an unending list of friends and those who loved him. Bart was blessed to have the love of his life, the sparkle in his eyes, the one who "lit his fire" and soul mate by his side every minute of every day loving him through life and all its good times and bad.

Survivors include his devoted and loving wife, Clarissa; son, Patrick (Vicky) Smith; daughter, Kaycie (Zach) Smith Royston; grandchildren, Waylon Smith and Bentley Royston, cousins; Bob Williams, Jennifer (Chris) Williams Henson all of Murfreesboro and Bubba and (Cindy) Williams of Manchester; nephews, Walt (Annette) Smith, Jimmy (Valerie) Smith and David (Cindy) Smith along with his wife's family; mother and father, Laverne and Murel Grant; brother, Greg Grant; sisters, Beth Fuqua all of Murfreesboro, Laura (Jasper) Boner of Lavergne and Patty Bratcher of Leitchfield, Kentucky; nephews, Ryan (Erin) Bratcher, Brandon Grant; nieces, Katy Grant, Lindsey and Shelby Fuqua. Beloved furry family members; Hannah, Shana and Chloe. Bart leaves behind an endless list of special friends who were more like family to him.

Active Pallbearers will be Steve Spence, Glenn Chrisman, Terry Spence, Harold Gooding, Jon Frazier, David Harrison, Jr. and Carl Watkins representing the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Murfreesboro Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Steve McNabb, David Dinkins, Alfred Demumbreum, Steve Harrison, Bart Yeargan, David Harrison, Sr., Randall Robinson, Roger Smith, Steve Lane, John Harney, Terry Hodge, Judge Donna Scott Davenport, Judge David Loughry, Judge Ben Hall McFarlin, Judge Larry Brandon, Judge Don Ash, Judge Robert Corlew, Judge Mark Rodgers, Judge Royce Taylor, Judge David Bragg and Judge Ewing Sellers.

Visitation will be Friday, June 15th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with Law Enforcement Honor Guard presiding. Services will be at Woodfin Chapel on Saturday, June 16th at 1:00pm with visitation from noon until time of service with the Rev. Gayle T. Watson and Rev. Bryan Brooks officiating. Burial will be at Washington-Smith Cemetery on Manson Pike with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Leukemia/Lymphoma Society 404 BNA Drive Nashville, TN 37217; Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation @ Sarah Cannon Cancer/Centennial 310 25th Avenue North Suite 103 Nashville, TN 37203 or Blackman United Methodist Church 4380 Manson Pike Murfreesboro, TN 37129

The family would like to thank Dr. Ian Flinn, Dr. Michael Savona, Dr. Jesus Berdaja, Dr. Sydney Hester, Dr. Julie Horton, Dr. Jackson Wray, Dr. Christian Vissers, Dr. Biesman, Dr. Wheeler, Dr. Fakkruddin, Dr. Honeycutt and Dr. Basham along with the many physicians and nurse practitioners who were actively involved in his care. Our heartfelt thanks to the 3rd floor Centennial Medical Center/BMT, ICU, Clinic Nursing, "his girls" from Physical Therapy and Administrative staff for the diligent and compassionate care provided to their "number #1" as Bart affectionately reminded them from time to time. WOODFIN FUNERAL CHAPEL. 893-5151. Online condolences may be made at www.woodfinchapel.com