John Thomas "Tommy" Smith

John Thomas "Tommy" Smith, 56, of Jonas Ridge, NC, died surrounded by his loving family and friends on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the V.A. Hospital in Asheville, NC following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on July 17, 1951, he was the son of the late John Dossie Smith and Jimmie Burton Reid Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Christy Michelle Smith and a brother, Richard Wayne Reid.Tommy was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a long distance truck driver for Lance Transport of Hildebran, NC, a talented artist and craftsman, a comic, a devoted brother, uncle and friend. Of the Baptist faith, he professed his faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and now rests in him.Left to cherish Tommy’s memory are his wife (separated), Nancy Davis Smith; step-sons, Donald Hughes and wife, Kim, of Morganton, Brian Hughes of Morganton, Albert "J.R." Minish and wife, Ruby, of Boomer, NC; a brother, Dwight Earl Smith of Morganton; sisters, Judy S. Norville and husband, Jim, of Morganton, Susan S. Helms and husband, Bill, of Gastonia, NC, Frances S. Norville and husband, Larry, of Morganton, Ruth S. Franklin and husband, Gene, of Morganton; fiancé, Tammy Blevins of Jonas Ridge and her two sons; eleven nieces and nephews, three step-grandchildren, and a host of friends.The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 15, 2008 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with military rites performed by Valdese Ceremonial Team American Legion Post # 234. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the home of Larry and Frances Norville on Scott Road.