The family of John Lewis Smith of Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of the Wrigley Community in Hickman County, Tennessee, requested we share the news of his passing.

Born on April 4, 1948, in Lyles, TN. John was the first of 11 children born to Vernice and Lee Thomas Bowen. Educated in the public school system, he graduated in 1967 from OH Benard High School where he received his diploma.

If you have ever had the pleasure of spending any valuable time with John you would hear him talk of how he was drafted in the US Army in 1968 where he recognized the call to serve his country as he fought in the Vietnam War until 1970. After fighting in the war, he would go on to serve in the US Army Reserve at Ft. George G. Meade, MD until 1974 where he received an honorable discharge.

He then began life as a civilian again where he was employed at Jefferson Smurfit for over 40 years holding positions as a laborer then Foreman where he served until his retirement. During this time, he became a father to his oldest son John Lewis Smith Jr.

John continued on his life’s journey where he would intersect with the one that would prove to change the course of his life forever. He met Monica Marable in 1986. They would work to develop their relationship which would grow into a love that surpassed all time. They were married on April 4, 1989. Monica also led John to the Lord where he would surrender his life to Jesus and become a Faithful Servant to the Word of God at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and Minister.

He also became a father to Monica’s three boys Corey, Broderick and Gabble which John also knew as HIS SONS. He loved them as a father does and pledged his life to serve them in the authority designated by God as over His sheep.

Those who remain on earth to fondly remember John will smile every time they see his picture, hear a song or eat food that he loved. They are his adoring sons John Lewis Smith Jr.; Corey Cartwright, Broderick (Kaciana) Marable and Gabble Mitchel. He so loved his grandchildren Corey and Arianna Huey, BJ, Keyng, Kyzen and Zoe’ Marable, Gabrielle Jamesyn Wilson and Ke’layjah Matthews. His loving sisters Donna Granger, Rose Martin, Anne (Donald) Moss and Linda (Rodney) Burton. His caring aunts Juanita Harris and Dorothy Smith. And his devoted friend and confidant Thomas “Tom” Jones.

There was one final call on August 6, 2024 that John heard from his Lord, his Savior, his Master Jesus calling him home to Heaven leaving this life with an honorable discharge. John answered the call anxiously awaiting the reunion with his mother, father, his sisters Laura, Ash, and Carolyn Bowens. His brothers Lee Thomas Jr, James, William and Robert. And the love of his life Monica.

John knew that the Lord’s call was getting louder and louder as his earthly time turned from months to days to minutes to seconds. He knew that he would see the Lord. Yes. He also knew that he would see the Love of His Life, Monica. Monica changed his life with her unconditional, everlasting love. Now, they meet again and live in HEAVENLY EVER AFTER.