OBITUARY
Little Tom Smotherman, 67 of Sitka, Alaska, died April 6, 2011
in Murfreesboro, Tennessee from cancer.
Tom was born in 1943 in Murfreesboro to R.W. and Hazel
Smotherman. Tom enjoyed working on the family farm with his brother. After
graduating from Central High School in 1961, he spent a season working for a
combine crew in the Midwest.
He served the United States Coast Guard for 26 years. During
his service, he was in charge of several units including a Light Attendance
Station in the Virgin Islands, a Buoy Depot in Sheffield, Alabama, an Aids to
Navigation Team in Demopolis, Alabama, and an Aids to Navigation Team D17 in
Sitka, Alaska. Tom had over 20 years of sea service including 4 years of Bering
Sea patrols, several Rescue Units, Buoy Tenders and River Tenders.
Tom retired in 1989 and married his wife, Sharon. Together,
they bought a fishing boat and spent the next 17 years commercial and charter
fishing in Southeast Alaska. At age 55, Tom discovered his passion for flying
and spent 12 years crisscrossing Alaska and the United States with his wife and
dog in their Cessna 180.
Tom was an active member of the Masons, Scottish Rite,
Shriners, Elks, Moose, NRA, USCG CPOA, SCV, Alaska Airmen’s Association and the
EEA Association.
Tom is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sharon Smotherman
from Oregon; his father, R. W. Smotherman of Murfreesboro; son Skipper (Sharon)
Smotherman of Murfreesboro, daughters Kelli Smotherman of Murfreesboro, and
Wendy Smotherman Lauren (Mike) of Redwood City, CA. He is survived by
grandchildren Caleb Smotherman, Nathan Smotherman and Elijah Smotherman of
Murfreesboro and Chloe Lauren of Redwood City, CA. He was preceded in death by
sister Patricia Smotherman, brother Joe Smotherman and mother Hazel Smotherman
all of Murfreesboro.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011
with services immediately following 3 p.m. at Woodfin Funeral Home in
Murfreesboro, TN. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be
made to the
Shriners Hospital for Children.
Woodfin Memorial Chapel
1488 Lascassas Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone: 615.893.5151