James Olen Smith

Rock Island, TN resident and Van Buren County, TN native James Olen  Smith, age 80, was born September 23, 1942 and died February 9, 2023 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN following an extended illness.           

A Vietnam veteran of the United States Army, retired employee of the Carrier Corp. and a member of the Baptist church, he was the son of the late Walter Frank “Bris” and Daisy Mae Taylor Smith. He was married to Treva Smith of Rock Island, TN on March 1, 1975. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Linda Dove, Joan Smith McCormick and Sandra Nannalene Owens; brother, David "Bunton" Smith; niece, Daphne Shockley; nephew, Johnny Smith and great-nephew, Ben Dove.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by two children, Anthony (Stacey) Smith and Tina Vann, both of Rock Island, TN; three grandchildren, Chelsea (Ryan) Harrell of McMinnville, TN and Casey Edwards and fiancé, Brooks Underwood and Kinsley Smith, all of Rock Island, TN; seven great-grandchildren, Derek Young, Kiara Harrell, Zoe Curtis, Canaan Curtis, Ayden Harrell, Raelynn Neilson and Rissa Neilson; two sisters, Kathy Smith King and Freda (Ricky) Duggin, both of the Rocky River Community; brother, Dewey (Donna) Smith of McMinnville, TN; two sisters-in-law, Brenda Smith of Rock Island, TN and Diane Allen of Spencer, TN and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Crain Hill Cemetery in Van Buren County, TN. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at High’s.

Full military honors will be administered by American Legion Post 173 and VFW Post 5064.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.