Richard Lee Smith

Richard Lee Smith, 88, formerly of Kingsport, passed away Friday, May 6, 2016 at Continuum Courtyard in Johnson City. Mr. Smith was born in Appomattox, VA and grew up in Elizabethton. He was a son of the late C.G. and Mima Smith. Mr. Smith graduated from Emory and Henry College. He retired from Eastman Chemical Company after 37 years of service as a senior chemist. Richard and Phyllis Smith were charter members of St. Timothy?s and St. Christopher?s Episcopal Churches in Kingsport. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and grandson, Gary W. Smith, Jr. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Phyllis M. Smith; three children, Brenda Smith Kilgore, Gary Smith and his wife Jayne of Surgoinsville, and Sandra Smith Colombo and her husband Claude; one sister, Winnie Johnson of Bristol; and several nieces and nephews. He was known as ?Daddy-D' to his seven grandchildren, Beverly Smith, Morgan Smith, Emily Thompson, Matthew Kilgore, Casey Ann Irwin, Katianne Taylor, and Charlie Colombo, and three great grandchildren, K.B., Miriam, and Owen. A graveside service is scheduled for 11 am Monday, May 9, 2016 in Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abingdon, VA. Pastor Casey Ann Irwin will officiate. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Guests are requested to meet at the cemetery for the service. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Continuum Courtyard caretakers for all their love and compassion for Richard for the past two and a half years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer?s Tennessee, 3212 Hanover Rd. Ste. 5, Johnson City, TN 37604.