Ray Smelcer

RAY SMELCER, 88, of Dandridge, Tennessee, slipped the bonds of illness and this earth Saturday, July 19, 2014 to go home to be with the Lord. A lifelong native of the Chestnut Hill Community in Jefferson County, he was born March 8, 1926 to Adam F. Smelcer and Lola Strange Smelcer. He graduated from Maury Academy and attended Knoxville Business College. He was a distinguished WWII veteran, having served in the European Theatre with Company H, 301st Infantry, Third US Army under General George Patton, 94th Division. He was wounded in battle near Nennig, Germany February 7, 1945. Honors received were E.A.M.E Campaign medal with one Bronze Battle Star, Purple Heart, Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and American Theatre Ribbon, He was a member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church. A civic and public servant, Mr. Smelcer was a member of Dandridge VFW Post 3380, the Military Order of the Purple Heart (served as Commander of Chapter 547), and the Chestnut Hill Ruritan Club. He served as a director of the Jefferson County Co-op. He was a member of County Court serving as a Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner for many years. He loved farming, and he also worked various other jobs, retiring from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Smelcer was preceded in death by his parents, 6 half-brothers and 2 half-sisters, and 5 sisters and 2 brothers. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Flora Ruth Ellis Smelcer of Chestnut Hill; daughters Kay Witt (Jim) of Mayo, Florida, Phyllis Stanton (Paul) of Herndon, VA, and Anne DeForest (Randy) of Chestnut Hill; granddaughters Hillary Witt Byrd (Maury), Karen Witt Piedra (Carlos), Jenna and Leah DeForest; 4 great grandsons and 3 great granddaughters; sister-in-law Mrs Billie Smelcer, Dandridge; brother-in-law Robert Ellis, Dandridge; many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank longtime caregivers Angy, Brandy, Dalene, and Mary and also Amedysis Home Health for 7 years of service. As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 and locally to the Chestnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, 2418 McGaha Hollow RD, Dandridge, TN 37725 and Dandridge VFW Post 3380, Town Hall, East Main St., Dandridge, TN 37725. Funeral services, Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 2:00pm at the Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. John Wilson, Rev. Mary Parsons and Rev. John Clark officiating. Graveside Interment will follow with military honors at Hills Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening 5:00 to 7:00pm at FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE