Walter Burl Smelcer

WALTER BURL SMELCER, age 96 of Dandridge, TN went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 13, 2017, surrounded by his loving wife of 65+ years, Betty Ruth Smelcer and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Lettie Smelcer and beloved grandson, Dietrich Hunter Hass; brother, G.B. (Thelma) Smelcer and sister, Marjorie (Quinten) Hance; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce and Roberta Franklin; brothers-in-law, John and Paul Franklin; sister-in-law, Evelyn Hance. Survivors include, always by his side, his wife, Betty Ruth Smelcer; children, Patsy (Dennis) Woolard, Walter Burl (Sheila) Smelcer, II, Earl (Robin) Smelcer, Dorothy (Jay) Suttles, Laura (Jim) Hass and Richard (Amy) Smelcer; grandchildren, Patrick ( Angie) Woolard, Adam (Brittany) Smelcer, Audra (Cody) Watkins, Ethan Smelcer, Tyler (Autumn) Smelcer, Erick, Shelby, Nicholas and Benjamin Smelcer; great-grandchildren, Haylee, Millie and Mason; special family members, Helen Franklin, Shelby Franklin, Betty Ann Franklin, Bill Hance and a host of nieces and nephews; very special friends, Murrell and Barbara Jarnigan. Walter Burl was a member of Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent since 1996 until his brief sickness. He attended Chestnut Hill Grammar School and graduated from Maury High School. He worked on the surveying crew helping bring electricity to many areas in Jefferson County and he worked for Vernco (Emerson Electric) as a quality control inspector for 27 years and after retirement worked for Leeper Hardware. Dad was a farmer his entire life and he loved having his family together at holidays and birthdays and he thoroughly enjoyed going to Dollywood and watching the shows. Special thanks to Franklin Cottage House staff at Jefferson Co. Nursing Home (The Green Houses) and to Smoky Mountain Home Health and Melissa Oras (caregiver) for their care of Dad and Mom. We as a family feel very blessed and thankful to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing us to keep Dad these many years, while having great health and sound mind…We know that he won’t have to suffer any more and that we can go one day to be with him in heaven! Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 10:30am at Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Larry DeVault officiating. Interment to follow at Hills Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends, Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00pm at FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE www.farrarfuneralhome.com