Funeral service for Marine Bledsoe Smith, age 90, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 12 PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Taylor and Bro. Johnny Garrett officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Orchard Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 11 AM until the time of service on Wednesday at Higgins.
Marine, the youngest of five children, was born on June 28, 1933, in Fayetteville, TN, to the late William Alexander Smith and Anna Mae Barnes Smith. At a young age, Marine committed his heart to his Lord our God, being saved and baptized at the age of 14 at Beech Grove Methodist Church. Mr. Smith was a 1951 graduate of Boonshill High School. After graduation he enlisted in the US Navy serving six years and then reentered the US Air Force serving eight years.
After his military career, Marine was a beef cattle farmer, owned Smith Roofing, owned M&M Catering, was a founding member of the Egan Baptist Church, and formerly a member of the Gideons. Mr. Smith was clever and was filled to the brim with knowledge that he gained through his life experiences. No matter where he was stationed or lived, Marine never left behind the teaching of Christ, serving as a Pastor, associate Pastor, and Sunday school teacher. Mr. Smith was a leader, a man of integrity, and was deeply committed to his family and faith. Marine currently served as the associate pastor of Petersburg First Baptist Church. Mr. Smith passed away on August 19, 2023, at Vanderbilt–Harton Hospital in Tullahoma, TN.
Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Murriel Dean Smith; children, Wanda Smith (Rocky) Locker, Belinda Smith (Guy) Patrick, and Clifford Smith; bonus children, Mark (Teresa) Holloway, and Angela (Robert) Dupree; grandchildren, Reen Locker (Jamison) Baskin, Ryan (Sarah) Locker, Celess Locker (Cory) Friend, Maghan (Chase) Cowley, Mollee (Jake) Berzett, and Macey (Mick) Hill; bonus grandchildren, Seth (Jacklyn) Garrett, Cordell (Kayla) Garrett, Zebulun Holloway, Christopher Holloway, Krystalynn (Ben) Walls, Timothy Dupree, and McKinzie (Dustin) Clark; great-grandchildren, Macklen, Rylan, and Locke Baskin, Madeline, and Emma Locker, Camden, Carter, and Cyless Friend, and Grady, and Charlee Berzett; bonus great-grandchildren, Curston, Cayson, Aiden, Huntington, Remmington, Herman, Kinsley, Crimson, Elli, Lilly, and Amelia; and nieces Patsy Turner Campbell, Shirley Smith Jeans.
In addition to his parents, Marine was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris McMillan Smith; siblings, Thomas Smith, Garrett Smith, Margaret Turner, and Doris Stewmon; great-granddaughter, Klare Cowley; bonus grandson, Cassie Jay Hamlin; and bonus great-granddaughter, Ally Clark.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Marine Bledsoe Smith.
12 Comments To "Marine Bledsoe Smith"
#1 Comment By Lenace Hyde Lehnert On August 20, 2023 @ 11:56 am
Prayers to all of you during this loss. Thinking of you at this time .
Lenace Hyde Lehnert
#2 Comment By Jack Elliott Smith On August 20, 2023 @ 12:19 pm
Marine graduated a year before I did from Boonshill High School.
#3 Comment By Cordelia Tanner On August 20, 2023 @ 12:21 pm
RIP Mr. Marine, thanks for your days at Senior Center, serving those Nutricious meals. Prayers for you loved ones. Cordelia Tanner.
#4 Comment By DeLois O’Neal Thompson On August 20, 2023 @ 3:21 pm
Joe and I are deeply saddened about the passing of Mr Marine. When we built our house, in 1983, Mr Marine put on our shingles. He was always very nice man.b
#5 Comment By Shirley Vliet On August 20, 2023 @ 9:58 pm
This is Shirley “Smith” Jeans Vliet the niece of Uncle Marine. I am so sorry to learn of his passing. He will be sorely missed by me – he was the last of the Smith boys with my Father – Thomas being the oldest of the three. My prayers and condolences go out all concerned in this time of sorrow and grief…
#6 Comment By Camilla Vaughn On August 21, 2023 @ 7:29 am
Brother Marine was always there for others. He was a man of God! May he rest peacefully!
When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, he was always there for the family.
#7 Comment By Roy Yeager On August 21, 2023 @ 4:10 pm
Very sad news. He was a friend to our family for many years. He visited my dad regulalry when he was in the nursing home and preached my dads funeral. Prayers for the family
#8 Comment By Patrick Matthews On August 22, 2023 @ 6:12 am
I am truly heartbroken to learn that such a wonderful man has left us . I met Mr. Smith several years ago and asked him to allow me to hunt on his farm, and he told me to come right on and “get those Deer” because they were eating up his Garden. We became great friends over the years, and through our conversations I quickly learned that he was a very intelligent man. I had the greatest respect for Mr. Smith he will be missed by all who knew him.
#9 Comment By Dana Sartain On August 22, 2023 @ 7:53 pm
So sorry to hear of Mr Marines passing. Enjoyed bible studies he led at Kirkland church years ago
Mrs Dean our prayers are with you and your family
#10 Comment By Maron Summar On August 23, 2023 @ 4:14 am
Wanda, I never met your Dad, but reading his Obituary, it’s obvious h was a very special man! My prayers are with your big ole special family, knowing he will be sorely missed. We love you guys & pray your memories will continually bring a smile to your face & warmth to your heart! God bless you all, especially in the coming days!!!
#11 Comment By Mike and Jeanie Hyde On August 23, 2023 @ 7:56 am
Belinda and family, we are so sorry for your loss and we be praying for all of you.
#12 Comment By Jane Bradley On August 30, 2023 @ 8:53 pm
“Marine, you were a joy to be around and could always make me laugh. “Spread your wings and fly, fly high,you deserve it..”Prayers going up for you Belinda, Wanda, and Clifford. Rest In Peace, Marine