Emerson Cecil Smith

Emerson Cecil “Mainspring” Smith, Jr., 94, of Johnson City, went to heaven on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. He was born April 5, 1925 in Ironton, Ohio, son of the late Nina Smith Miller and Emerson C. Smith. Most of his life was spent in Piney Flats, TN. He recently moved to Johnson City.
Emerson proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy and U.S. Navy Armed Guard during WWII aboard the USS Randolph. He worked in the coal mines of W. VA and silver mines in Idaho. For forty-nine years he drove the big rigs and had logged-in approximately 5 million miles. Over the years he enjoyed gardening, sharing words of wisdom and bringing a laugh to those he was around. He continued to meet with fellow truck drivers, called “the Dirty Dozen” for breakfast monthly. He looked forward to meeting weekly with a group of men called the “Praying Mountain Men”.
Emerson was member of Lick Creek Christian Church, but recently had been attending Pinecrest Christian Church.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents, his first wife of 62 years Louise; a daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Joe Bahr; and siblings, Grover, Jim, and Ruth.
Those left to cherish Emerson’s memory include his wife, Betty; sons, Donnie Smith, Ray (Pam) Smith and daughter, Barbara (Jim) Williams; two stepsons, Duane and Michael Peterson; seven grandchildren, Paul, Rhonda, Scott, Rachel, Courtney, Kevin, and Kelli; twelve great grandchildren; brother, Larry; special cousin, Walter (Inge) Hersman; several nieces and nephews, and many friends from many walks of life.
The family will honor Emerson’s life on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 5:00 pm in the Dogwood Chapel of Morris-Baker Funeral Home, under the direction of Pastor Leon Dutka. The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm until time of service at 5:00 pm. A committal service is scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2019 at 3:00 pm at Monte Vista Memorial Park, under the direction of Larry Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be: Blake Smith, Tim Smithson, Kevin Bahr, Scott lacey, Dave Kent, Paul Smith, Jared Shipley, and Derek Tackett. Military honors will be accorded by the Boone Dam VFW. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 2:45 pm.