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Paul Dean Smith, 85, of Hampton, formerly of Ripshin Mountain / Tiger Creek Community, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023.
A native of Carter County, he was born in Unicoi County and was the son of the late Bert Smith and Etta Sneed Hyder.
Paul Dean was a devoted tree farmer having managed and operated Ripshin Tree Farm for 50 plus years. He was well known in the shrubbery and Christmas tree business. He was a devoted member of Hopson Chapel FWB Church, where he served as a deacon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Allen Smith; sisters, Patsy Holtsclaw of Johnson City and Leona Simerly of Elizabethton; and a brother, Terry Hyder of Roan Mountain.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Margaret Simerly Smith; a daughter, Kathy Godinez and her husband Tony and son Jeff Smith and his wife Kristi, all of Hampton; two grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Elijah Grahm and Hannah Grace Smith, Hampton; two brothers, Ford Hyder and wife Linda, of Oscoda, Mich.; and Harold Smith and wife Darlene of Roan Mountain, Tenn.; two sisters, Robin Clark of Tecumseh, Mich., and Sue and husband Chuck Kelly of Johnson City, Tenn. He also leaves behind a special brother in Christ Larry Proffitt; a special sister in Christ Betty Street; special friends, Elsie Doty, Herman and Carol Miller, Harry and Patsy Crow, and the Simerly Family; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A service to honor and celebrate the life Paul Dean will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, July 31, at Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton, with the Rev. Terry Richardson and the Rev. Charlie Trivette officiating. Music will be under the direction of the Sunset FWB Church Quartet and Vanessa Cox. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, in the Hall Cemetery (Tiger Creek) with the Rev. Bill Highsmith officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, prior to the service, or at the residence at anytime. Active pallbearers will be Jeff Powell, Tim Miller, Floyd Miller, Marshall Simerly, Herman Miller, Timmy Chambers and Elijah Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Godinez, Harry “Bea” Crow, men of Hopson Chapel FWB Church, men of Sunset FWB Church, men of Sunrise FWB Church, friends and neighbors of the Ripshin Mountain and Fairview communities, and the people he met while working in the Christmas tree business. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of the 2300 wing at Johnson City Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be made to Hampton / Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department, 410 Church Street, Hampton, TN 37658. Family and friends will assemble at the funeal home at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolence may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Smith family.