Ralph Eugene Smith

Ralph Eugene Smith, 88, 406 Garland Branch Road, Watauga died Friday, June 27, 2008 in the James H. Quillen Veterans Medical Center at Mountain Home. Mr. Smith was a native of Knoxville who had lived most of his life in this area. He is the son of the late William A. and Bessie Taylor Smith. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by one brother, William A. Smith; three sisters, Iva Keck, Marie Smith and Mildred Crewe. He was a U.S. Army WWII veteran and was retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He was a member of the New Hope Christian Church. Mr. Smith was a member of the Johnson City Masonic Lodge # 486. Survivors include: two sons, Billy Joe Smith and his wife Phyllis of Bluff City and Dana E. Smith and his wife Robin of Abingdon, VA; two daughters Vickie Wikle and her husband Joe of Knoxville and Patricia Howell and her husband Chris of Johnson City; eleven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Ralph Eugene Smith will be conducted at 8 PM Sunday, June 29, 2008 in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Mr. Paul Peer and Mr. Frank Williams will officiate. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 AM Monday in the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Everyone will meet at the funeral Home at 10:30 AM Monday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral chapel from 6 to 8 PM Sunday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 208 Sunset Drive Suite 595A, Johnson City TN. 37604.