Ronald Richard Smith

RONALD “RONNIE” Richard Smith, 82, of Dandridge, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, May 18, 2023. He was born in Florence, Alabama and moved with his family as his father worked for US Steel in many Alabama cities until he made his final move to Shady Grove, TN in 1952. His family moved to Hueytown in 1960 while he remained in Tennessee where he married his high school sweetheart, Linda Lou Hill, on September 11, 1959, both were Maury High School graduates of 1959 where he lettered in football. He worked at Magnavox, and later, first as an auxiliary member then ultimately in the office as Chief of the Dandridge Police Department. He moved to the Jefferson City Police Department, retiring in 1995. He then worked court security at the Federal Courthouse in Knoxville, and finally retiring from court security at Jefferson County in 2021. He enjoyed playing softball for several years while coaching little league baseball and his daughter’s softball teams. He was a proud member of the Dandridge Jaycees and served in various leadership positions. For many years, he managed the Dandridge adult league softball, which became a family affair. He was an avid golfer with a hole-in-one at Dandridge Golf Course. He enjoyed Hee Haw, country music, NASCAR, Alabama football, and Ford cars. He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lorraine Lawson Smith; brothers, Moody and Gary Smith; sister, Terry Smith Redd and infant sister, Stella Ann Smith; loving parents-in-law, James and Doris Hill. Survived by to celebrate his memory is his loving wife of 63 years, Linda Smith; daughter, Debbie Smith Morgan; son, Donnie (Lisa) Smith; grandchildren, Travis and Brian Morgan, Rory and Marly Smith; great-granddaughter, “Nora Lou” Morgan, all of Knoxville; sisters-in-law, Nina (Sandy) Brimer, of Dandridge and Shirley (Charles) Holt of Morristown; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and “double” first cousins; best friend, Stevie James; and the “Old Farts” at Owens Restaurant. The family will receive friends and family at Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 4:00pm until 6:00pm with celebration services following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE, 865-397-2711