Obituary of Ben Smith

BEN  SMITH

Johnson City- Benjamin Walter Smith, 41, of Church Hill and Johnson City, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly due to apparent blood clotting complications on Sunday (June 10, 2018).

Ben was born in Kingsport and worked as a Tri-Cities realtor for more than 15 years. The youngest son of livestock dealer Bert Smith, III and Kay White, Ben had a passion for sports. After attending the University of Tennessee, he worked as a minor-league umpire. Ben loved the great outdoors and often enjoyed sporting events with his only daughter Hannah. He was active in his community and never met a stranger. Ben was a member of First Baptist Church, Church Hill.

Ben was preceded in death by his father, Bert E. Smith, III and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Bert E. Smith, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Carr; an aunt, Janice Miller.

Ben is survived by his daughter, Hannah Smith who was the light of his life; his mother and stepfather Kay and Doug White; several siblings including Bert E. Smith IV and wife Lisa, Alex Smith, Mark Droke and wife Emily, Anna Marie Smith Baker and husband Brett, and Susan Smith Alvis and husband Brent; a special niece Amber Alvis and nephew Matthew Alvis; a great-niece Kaiden Lee Alvis; special cousins who were like brothers, Todd Miller and John Miller; godparents Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bazarnik; aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Shelbourne Wallace, Mrs. Judy Cave, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Clark, and Mr. Doug Miller.

Calling hours will be on Friday (June 15, 2018) from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Church Hill.  

A Celebration of Life Service will follow the visitation.

A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday (June 16, 2018) at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Rev. Gary Gerhardt, officiating. Pallbearers will be Bert Smith IV, Alex Smith, Drew Holbert, Scotty Grant, Bo Corum,  Mark Droke, Kelly Morton, and Ryan Wagner.  His special friend, Jim Berry will serve as honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the scholarship fund for Hannah Smith at Eastman Credit Union.  More details will be available at the visitation on Friday for Hannah’s fund.

You may send online condolences to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Smith family.