Warren Smith

1927 - 2024

Warren Dean Smith January 17, 1927-February 1, 2024 Warren Dean Smith, 97, of Elizabethton, TN passed away on February 1, 2024. He leaves behind a rich legacy and will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him. Warren was born on January 17, 1927 to Edwin and Lillian Smith in Mitchell, Nebraska. The youngest of four siblings (Margaret, Helen, and Ted), he was involved at an early age in farming with the family. He later recounted that he had worked so extensively with sugar beets that he couldn't stand to eat them anymore. He was a graduate of Sunflower High School. He became a lover of music while attending the Episcopal church and shortly after moving to the Swedish Covenant Church made a profession of faith in Christ at age 12. He played the cornet and tuba, and enjoyed singing in quartets. In his early twenties, he served as a chairborne clerical typist in the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, Alaska. On June 23, 1956, he married Joyce Harriet Stack, also a native of Nebraska. In 1957, Kevin Dean was born, followed by Kelly David in 1959, and Julie Sue in 1963. His niece, Patricia, spent many years living with the Smith family. He began his 25 year career with United Airlines shortly after marrying Joyce, and served in diverse roles, eventually in IT as a Senior Systems Analyst. Working for United had its share of moving, from Nebraska to Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, and California. While working full time, Warren also enjoyed remodeling and building beautiful homes for his family as a hobby in his spare time. Warren had a green thumb and bountiful gardens were always included in the landscape of each home where they lived. He was a good cook, auto mechanic, carpenter, and all around jack-of-all-trades, master of many. Warren was known for his genuine and selfless love and concern for others, addressing each person he encountered by name. A man of few words, he modeled Christ-like humility and gentleness and was also a great teacher...showing, rather than saying, how things were done. Although notably quiet, his amazing wit and one liners were his trademark. He was one of the most tech-savvy seniors you might ever meet, comfortably moving into new technologies as they came along. If you sent him an email or text, he would respond quickly in his typically eloquent, articulate way, usually with some sort of clever joke included. He and Joyce enjoyed having people in their homes, extending generous hospitality to people from all around the world. Warren valued time with family and with Joyce made frequent trips to wherever they lived, no matter the distance. He joyfully served his Lord and others in church, an integral and important part of his life wherever he lived. During his long life, he served in many capacities including youth group sponsor, choir and worship leader, and as part of missions teams. Warren is survived by: his wife, Joyce Harriet Smith; son, Kevin (Janet) Smith; son, Kelly (Priscilla) Smith; daughter, Julie (Mark) Morgan; grandson, Christopher Sean (Melissa) Smith; granddaughter, Katy Adele Smith (Dennis) de Albuquerque; grandson, Jacob David (Annette) Smith; granddaughter, Marta Leanne (Carlos) Muñoz; granddaughter, Marcia Leanne (Matthew) Perez; 10 great-grandchildren (with three more arriving soon), nieces, Patricia Smith, Cheryl Clark, Kris Anderson, Adele Lindquist, and nephew, Lowell Anderson and other great nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Garland Cemetery on Wednesday, February 7, at 3 p.m. Pastor Larry Vaughan will be officiating. Pallbearers: Carlos Muñoz, Matthew Perez, Michael Asher, David Asher, Mickey Rambo, and David Campbell. Honorary pallbearers: Mark Morgan, Sean Smith, Jacob Smith, Dennis Albuquerque, Earl Miller, and members of the Elizabethton Alliance Church. A Celebration of Life service is being planned for later in March, date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the Smith family kindly requests donations be made to the Elizabethton Alliance Church Building fund* in Warren's honor, to further the work of God's Kingdom through the people he so loved. *https://www.all4jesus.com/give/# - select General Fund then include "Building Fund" in the Notes box.