James E. "Shorty" Smith was born August 12, 1921 in McNairy County, TN the son of the late Lee Roy and Mattie Mae Moore Smith. He departed this life on March 23, 2019 in Ramer, Tennessee at the age of 97 years, 7 months, 11 days.
He was a lifelong member of the Mount Vernon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ramer, Tennessee. Shorty served our country in the Army during WWII. He was united in marriage to Freddie Mae Smith on September 24, 1945. Mrs. Smith preceded him in death on December 30, 2014. He built around 500 homes during his 45 years of carpentry. Shorty was a member of the American Legion. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and Catfish connoisseur. He and his wife thoroughly enjoyed gardening.
Growing up in the Great Depression, he frequently asked his grandchildren if they “did well” in the workplace and wanted to ensure they were saving money. He was quick to ask anyone about their relationship with Jesus.
Shorty frequented Wal-Mart, not because he needed anything, but because he was on the lookout for people he could converse with. When he walked in Burger King, they knew him by name and knew his order. He was stubborn and sharp as a tack. You wouldn’t pull any fast ones on him, as some of the family tried.
He is survived by five children: Betty Caldwell and Bill of Corinth, MS, Vickie Lyles and husband Jimmy of Eastview, TN, Mike Smith and wife Janie of Eastview, TN, Judy Kirk and husband Roger of Eastview, TN, and Anita Hively and husband Jason of Selmer, TN; a sister, Polly Crum of Selmer, TN; eleven grandchildren: Chad Smith, Josh Smith, Bart Caldwell, Mandy Gray, Jeremy Lyles and wife Marsha, Jodi Tyler and husband Reagan, Wesley King and wife Christina, Jason Kirk, Jourdan Hurd and husband Zach, Lucas Hively and Annagrace Watkins and husband Hayden; eleven great grandchildren: Justin Smith, Lexie Smith, JT Smith, Abbie Lyles, Meredith Whitfield, Madelyn Whitfield, Khloe Caldwell, Shiloh Tyler, Avery Tyler, Ella Katherine Watkins and Karson Watkins; and a special caregiver, Sandy Bean.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Larron King; a granddaughter, Lauren King; four brothers, Otis Lee "Boss" Smith, Roy Bishop "Bill" Smith, Winfred "Dooke" Smith and Emmett "Pig" Smith; and a sister, Ewell Lindsey.
Memorials may be made to the American Legion post # 162, 174 Warren Ave, Selmer, TN 38375 or the Mt. Vernon Cemetery Fund.