Jimmy Smothers Obituary

Jimmy Smothers, age 82, of Glencoe, died Monday, August 31, 2015, in Gadsden. Services will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Fyffe Church of God (778 Main St., Fyffe). Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Fort Payne.
He is survived by his family.
The Rev. Billy Smothers and Rev. Charles Beshears will officiate.
Pallbearers are Greg Bailey, John Alred, Randy Johnson, Michael Smothers, Bill Smothers and John Smothers.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to missions organization Global Focus Inc., Allen and Ruth McClellan, P.O. Box 1058, Acworth, GA 30101.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gadsden Times on Sep. 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Jimmy Smothers

14 Entries

Vance Roberson

October 14, 2015

Dear Smothers Family,

Jimmy Smothers was the Sports Editor for the Gadsden Times and brought the world of sports to us during his long and storied career there. I got to know him as an athlete at Gadsden HS, AU, & Troy State and during my 24 years as a football coach. Jimmy Smothers loved writing about sports, but he also loved humanizing his stories with interesting tidbits and insights. He was a living legend around the state, highly respected for his work. Covering local sports was a high priority with him, as well as the state colleges, and the SEC. He looked for opportunities to help others and promote positive causes/people. The last time I saw Mr. Smothers was 2 summers ago, as he was having lunch with M.L. Brackett and other friends at a diner downtown. He had many, many fans and friends and he had a lifetime spent informing and influencing others by what he wrote about and how he wrote about his stories..with accuracy, integrity, enthusiasm, compassion, originality, creative, authentic! Our loss is Heaven's gain..He will be missed greatly!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Sincerely,
Vance Roberson

Bob Thompson

September 6, 2015

I have been a long time friend of Jimmy Smothers and his son Jim. We have lost a legendary figure in the sports world. He touched many, many lives including mine in his many years as Sports Editor at the Gadsden Times. He will long be remembered for the quality job he did on behalf of the untold number of individuals and organizations that he served. My sincere condolences to his loving family.

Vann Jones

September 3, 2015

Dear Smothers Families:
Our prayers go out to the entire Smothers family in the loss of Jimmy! I worked for Mr. Smothers as a junior Sports Writer/Photographer from 1974-1980 at the Gadsden Times and loved all of his unique sports stories and how he would take time with me to improve my writing skills. I covered high school football, Talladgea and even Alabama football for him. What a thrill for a 19 year college student to be on the sidelines with Coach Paul Bear Bryant. I have fond memories of the assignments he allowed to cover with mentors like John Alred and others senior sports reporters. He invested in so many and is definitely a sports icon and will missed by so many. He loved country music and he was so proud of his "autographed" personalized photo from Dollie Parton. (Wink) We will miss his great sports stories but more importantly we will miss for his smile and kind spirit he demonstrated towards others. Blessings! (Prov 3:5 & 6)- Vann Jones

Alan Dunn

September 3, 2015

Jimmy will surely be missed. His writing and creating stories about the people and events he covered was truly done with a passion. He help build the name of Gadsden as The City of Champions in the way he would tell his stories.His writing was indicative of the type of person he was. He cared about his work and he cared about those he wrote about.I pray for the family during this time and may God give you the peace to endure this time.

Toderick Malone

September 3, 2015

You will be missed. Thanks for all the games that you covered throughout the years.

Roland Bolton

September 3, 2015

I was privileged to know his wit and compassion while working with him for fourteen years at The Times.My fondest and humorous moments is when he came to the pressroom to award me the winning trophy for the first(and last)annual golf tournament.We had a big laugh about that as my stroke count was 135 before handicap,but 62 after.He even put my picture in the paper.Still have trophy and copy of the paper.We had a good laugh about that,didn't we,Jimmy?Rest in Peace,buddy,I will truly miss you.

Johnny Williams

September 3, 2015

Have so many great memories of working with Jimmy at the newspaper for over 20 years. He always had a smile on his face and had the best stories of what was going on in the sporting world. Prayers go out to all his family. He will be truly missed.

Don Coughlin

September 2, 2015

Long remember taking sports calls at the Times during 1959 and 1960 from Jimmy. I always knew he'd be a great sportswriter and sure enough he was ...my sincerest regards to the family.

Dwight Collins

September 2, 2015

Remembering a great man who made great impacts on those around him. A kind and generous man who thrived in a tough profession when being a journalist was really something special. Thank you for everything, Jimmy.

Dionne

September 2, 2015

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. - Eccl. 7:1

Ben

September 2, 2015

Do the angels play golf or football or drive stock cars? If so, Jimmy is writin' 'em up!

September 2, 2015

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Phil Williams

September 2, 2015

A good man and friend who will be missed and long remembered. I'll never forget the good "Times".

September 2, 2015