Robert L. Smith

Robert L. Smith, age 95, of Puryear, TN, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Murray Calloway County Hospital. His funeral service is planned for 2:00 P.M. Sunday, January 18, 2026, at McEvoy Funeral Home, conducted by Dale Gallimore. Burial will follow the service in Walker Cemetery. Named as pallbearers are Rob Easterday, Rob Ballard, Tyler Smith, Kyle Parrish, T.J. Nash, and Tanner Reese.

Visitation is scheduled on Sunday, after 12:30 P.M. until the service time.

Robert L. Smith was born December 15, 1930 in Parrottsville, TN, to the late Lofton John “L.J.” Smith and the late Alice Stinson Smith. He married Lois Jones Smith on May 19, 1967 and she survives in Puryear. Bob is also survived by his daughters, Debbie Easterday of Brentwood, TN, Mitzi Parrish of Cottage Grove, and Marty (John) Reese of Petersburg, TN; sons, Steve Smith of Whitlock and John (Sherry) Smith of Puryear; grandchildren, Carrie (Kenny) McCarty, Rob (Rachael) Easterday, Eric (Rachel) Easterday, Tyler (Jessi) Smith, Kelsey (Jeremy) Kinslow, Lauren (T.J.) Nash, Kyle (Marci) Parrish, Brooke Smith, Shelby (Zach) McAlpin, Jill Smith, Samantha (Cole) Whisman, Tanner (Jordan) Reese; eighteen great-grandchildren; special great niece, Mimsy Fleming, nephew, Rob Ballard, and other family members in East Tennessee.

Besides his parents, Mr. Smith is also preceded in death by wife, Barbara Nease Smith; his sons-in-law, Steve Parrish and Mark Smith; and his sister-in-law, Ameldia Sue Jones.

Mr. Smith was a U.S. Army Veteran during the Korean War conflict, achieving the rank of Sergeant, earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He obtained college degrees from both Hiwassee and UT Knoxville. Bob was an elder and deacon of First Presbyterian Church in Paris. He formerly worked for J.C. Penney Company in numerous locations, eventually becoming the manager in Paris. He was an advocate and very instrumental in opening the volunteer fire department in Jones Mill. Bob was a past president of the DBA in Paris, an active member of numerous civic organizations, and a longtime farmer and dairyman in the community.

The family requests that memorials be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or VFW Post 1889, 2512 East Wood Street, Paris, TN 38242.