Tracy Glen Smitherman, 79, of Chattanooga, TN, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2023. He was born on September 3, 1943, in Pontotoc, MS. Tracy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Brenda Ann Smitherman; his father, Wheeler Smitherman, Jr., who was killed in action in 1944 during World War II; his mother, Miriam Clay Smitherman; step-father, Joel T. Smitherman; sister, Carolyn Smitherman; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, W.T. and Ethel Hardwick, who loved him like a son. He is survived by his devoted daughters, Shannon Ables and her husband Charles of Soddy Daisy, TN, and Stacey Barry and her husband Russell of Hixson, TN; adoring grandchildren, Russell, Jr., Kylie, and Macy Barry, and Chase and Jacob Edge; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Carol Smitherman of Shreveport, LA; sister, Mary Whiteside of Pontotoc, MS; and several nieces and nephews.
Tracy graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1961, and then went on to get his bachelor's degree in Accounting from Memphis State University. He retired from the City of Germantown, where he worked as a Risk Manager for 34 years. Tracy and Brenda were avid Memphis Tiger fans and enjoyed attending every home football and basketball game as well as many games on the road. Tracy served as a deacon with Getwell church of Christ, where he was an active member for many years until relocating to Chattanooga to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren. One of Tracy’s favorite activities was being Papa to his five grandchildren. He loved spending time with them at every opportunity.
Age only made him sweeter, and you could not find more of a gentleman than he was. What a privilege to watch his loving care of our mother and his wife of nearly 50 years in her last two years of dementia. He was ready to see his Brenda well and whole again in their heavenly home. To use the word he so often used to describe his girls and grandchildren, he was precious.
The family will host a visitation on Friday, January 27th, from 10:30 a.m.until 12:00 pm. at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home in Soddy Daisy, TN, with the funeral service following at 12:30 PM in the chapel. If you would like to make a donation in Tracy’s memory, the family requests that those be made to the Spiritual Sword publication in care of Getwell Church of Christ, 1511 Getwell Rd., Memphis, TN 38111.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson and Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379.
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