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BORN
1949
DIED
2025
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Johnny Proffitt Obituary
Born: October 11, 1949 | Died: October 8, 2025
Johnny "Bill" Proffitt, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home early Wednesday morning, October 8, 2025, in Bulls Gap, TN, with loved ones by his side.
He was formerly of the Jearoldstown Community and while his health permitted, he loved attending Wayside Freewill Baptist Church. He was a hard-working man; in his younger years he worked on paving interstates alongside his brother Jack. He also worked at a tire store called "Volunteer Bandag" as a tire recapper for a while. If you knew John, you knew you were his friend, he never knew a stranger. He was always willing to help others. Wherever he was, there was always a grandkid next to him. He enjoyed fishing, watching the TN Vols football on Saturdays when they were on, and loved his Nascar Racing on Sundays. He also loved watching Gunsmoke, his gospel station, including singing gospel music alongside his wife, who was always right there by his side.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Fay Proffitt; his two daughters; Tammy Wines and fiancé Bronzo Gosnell and Karen Farr and husband Rickey Farr Sr.; Grandchildren; Ashley Smelcer, Michelle Laughlin, Crystal Wines, Jeffrey Wines, Madeline Farr, and Amanda Farr; great grandchildren Gavin Smelcer, Aubrey Smelcer, Ashton Laughlin, and Adalynn Wines; sisters Trula Morgan, Mary Turner, Barbara Courtany and husband Ken, and brother Vernie Proffitt; plenty of cousins, nieces, and nephews; special friends; James Ellis, Brenda Inscore Shipley, Linda and Garland Franklin and Mary Helen Jones.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gladys and Harvey Proffitt; his younger brother, Jack (his fishing buddy); brothers, RB, Sherman, Don, Dick, and Budd Proffitt, and sister AnnaMae; and special friend Timothy Gass.
The family will receive friends from noon-1 pm on Friday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home with the funeral services to follow in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 pm. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 1:15 pm to go in procession to St. Joseph Chapel Cemetery for the 2:00 pm graveside service.
Pallbearers will be Rickey Farr, Bronzo Gosnell, Gary Owens, Roy Dale, Bronzo Jr., Nacho, Mickey Willburn.
The family wishes to express special thanks to the hospice nurses from Smoky Mountain.
Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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