Mr. Bert Smith

Mr. Bert Smith, 91, of Gray, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 16, 2025, at his home. He was born September 25, 1933, in Knox County to the late Gilbert and Lona Hardy Smith.

On December 26, 1953, he united in marriage with Lula Smith, and to this union, two sons were born.

Bert was a devoted husband and father. He and his wife, Lula, made sacrifices, worked hard, and did what it took to give their sons a better opportunity in life than they had. He lived a simple and happy life. He held solid fiscal, social, and cultural conservative principles, and attended both the Baptist and Holiness churches.

They lived and worked for several years in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bert worked in metals industries, which included for ten years at Hess & Eisenhardt, a company specializing in armored personal protection vehicles. Previously, he was at Steelcraft, which specialized in heavy-duty steel doors and frames.

In 1971, he and his family moved back to Knox County, where they built their home, the place where they would raise their sons. There, he did what he truly loved and often referred to it as his best method of keeping his boys out of trouble: raising beef cattle and tobacco.

The family fondly remembers those who greatly impacted Bert's earlier life and values their memories. Sisters Bessie Harris, Dorothy Vaughn, and Edna Jordan, who, upon his mother's death when he was a young child, stepped up and essentially raised him. Nephew Leonard Smith and brothers-in-law, Bill Vaughn, Daniel Boone Smith, and Will Smith had special relationships and shared many life growth experiences in their teenage and earlier adult years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 66 years, Lula Smith; sisters, Edna Jordan, Lillie Mae Smith, Dorothy Vaughn, Bessie Harris and Barbara Thompkins; brothers, Anderson, Bob, Bill, Chester, Walter, Berchel and Brack Smith; parents-in-law, Boone and Mary Smith; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Prudie, America, Lola and Dorothy Smith, Marie Jordan, Edna Branstutter, Laura, Margaret, Floretta and Elva Smith, Golden Jordan, Caleb Smith, Bill Vaughn, Hiram Harris, Marcum Spurlock, Jabe, Daniel, Curt, Will and J. L. Smith, Tom Jordan, Willie Branstutter and Clarence Ray Townsley.

Survivors include his loving children, Randal Smith and wife, Shirley, of Augusta and Alvin Smith and girlfriend, Michelle, of Gray; three sisters, Stella Spurlock, Nancy Marie Smith and Patricia Supernaugh and husband, Tom; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Louellen "Dot" Townsley, Marietta Smith, Walter Smith and wife, Catherine, and David Thompkins; several nieces and nephews; exceptional caregivers; among other loved ones and dear friends.

His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Tuesday, September 2 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Paul Kenneth Smith and Rev. Ricky Broughton officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Anderson Smith Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Earl Vaughn, Gary Smith, Patrick Ledington, Roger Smith, Justin Jones, Tony Smith, Jeffrey Vaughn and Soul Hubbard. Honorary casket bearers will be Clifton Vaughn, Billy Ray Jordan, McKinley Vaughn, Anderson Jordon, Eddie Vaughn, Beechle Harris, Ted Vaughn and his late nephews, Cardale Vaughn and Gilbert Smith.

Friends may visit at the funeral home Tuesday, September 2 after 12 Noon until the funeral hour.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.