Funeral Services for Mr. Jesse James Smith, age 83, of the Independence Community will be conducted 10 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023, from the Independence Community Church. Bro. Shane Nelson will officiate. Burial to follow in the Hatcher Hall Cemetery, with Military Honors provided at Graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Speck Funeral Home.
Jesse passed from this life on Tuesday morning, January 31, 2023, from the Overton County Health & Rehab. He was born at home in the Independence Community of Overton County, on March 7, 1939, to the late Willie M. and Jewel Inogene Smith. He was a 1959 graduate of Livingston Academy. Jesse served his military services obligation in the Army. He became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, so that he could make an extra 50 cents on his paycheck. He was already saving for his marriage and future; he was always prepared.
Jesse was an active member of his church, the Independence Community Church. So much so that he and his wife Sarah spent countless hours driving around Tennessee searching for the best-looking churches inside and outside for ideas to build into the church that meant the world to them. He loved God; he loved gospel singing; and he loved dearly the members of his church, his family, and his community.
He was a graduate of the local Vocational-Technical School for Drafting. He knew how to build something great from the foundation on up. He built a solid foundation in Christ, in his church, and in his marriage. He and our mom raised us kids to be honest, dependable, and to work hard. As a dairy farmer, he took great pride and care in his land. He explained before he died just how hard he had worked to bring together the multiple farms that now make up what is one farm. Like true farmers, he and our mom loved working this land, caring for the farm animals, and just trying to be the best farmers and neighbors they could be. A good farmer is always a good neighbor. A great farmer is best defined as our dad.
Jesse leaves behind his son, Jeff Smith of the Independence Community; daughters, Sherry Smith and spouse Debrina Dills of Nashville, TN, and Kristy Armes and husband Steve of Coalfield, TN; grandchildren, Joseph Smith, Hailee Smith, Bryson Smith-Dills, and Erin Smith-Dills; great-grandchildren, Addison, Kyreena, and Jayden Smith; brothers, Joey Smith and wife Beth of the Independence Community, and Jimmy Smith and wife Lisa of Cookeville, TN; sister Jewel Turner of Livingston; and special friend Shirley Garrett.
In addition to his parents, Jesse was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Frances Swafford Smith, and sisters, Joyce and Judy Smith.
Pallbearers to serve are Bryson Smith-Dills, Joseph Smith, Kevin Smith, Todd Smith, Joel Garrett, and Jimmy Conner.
The family would like to extend a Special Thanks to Dad's Silver Angels caregiver, Destiny Wilborn. She enriched his last years with care and love. Also, to Everyone at the Overton County Health & Rehab Center, we thank you for all the care and support that you provided to our dad and to us. We really could not have managed his last days without you.
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