Roy Smith

James Roy Smith, 83, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 in a Chattanooga hospital.  He had lived in the Cleveland area his entire life.  He was a 1955 graduate of Bradley Central High School and attended Cleveland State Community College.  He was a member of Black Fox United Methodist Church, a charter member of the McDonald-Black Fox Ruritan Club, and helped coach the Lady Aces with Ralph Rymer for many years.  He loved spending time with his family, going on vacations to the beach with them, and going deep sea fishing with them and his friends. His favorite pastime was watching the Braves and the UT Vols.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Andrew Smith and Flossie Cartwright Smith; and sister, Mary Elizabeth Rogers.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Elizabeth Rucker Smith; two children, Carol Jordan and husband Dale of Cleveland, and Janice Mull and husband Fred of Cleveland; two grandchildren, James Cody Jordan and wife Cayci of Cleveland, and Shalea Morgan Donegan of Knoxville; two great-grandchildren, James Lucas and Laney Elizabeth Jordan; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

A celebration of his life will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2021 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Reverend Tony Kinder and Reverend Travis Humbard officiating.  Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Randy Brown, James Rogers, Donald Rogers, Billy Duke, Heath Jordan, and Mitchell Kinder serving as pallbearers.  A white dove release ceremony and the playing of bagpipes will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

You may watch the service via live stream on Ralph Buckner Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Black Fox United Methodist Church at 1820 Old Chattanooga Pike SW Cleveland, TN 37311.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Smith family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.