Donald J. Smith

By Staff
Feb. 7, 2009
Funeral for Donald J. Smith, 70, of Hartselle was Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Revs. Jon Laidley and Charlie Brown officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.
Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr. Smith died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. He was born Feb. 1, 1939, in Winston County to Elvis Smith and Bernice French Smith. He was a member and deacon of Bethlehem Baptist Church for 25 years and was recently named Deacon Emeritus. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. He served in the U.S. Air Force for six years and was honorably discharged. He was a big rig driver for more than 35 years, six of which he drove as a team with his wife. He was a big NASCAR fan. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Evangeline B. Smith; three sons, Timothy W. Smith and wife Dana of Clarendon, Ark., William “Bill” Smith and wife Malinda of Ridgeville, S.C. and Kerry Smith and wife Donna of Priceville; a daughter, Desiree Kilimas and husband Jason of Hartselle; a brother, Larry Smith of Kansas; several nieces and nephews; an aunt, Ruby French of Atalla; an uncle, Thurman Smith of Hartselle; nine grandchildren, Anthony Smith, Dallas Smith, Danielle Smith, Devan Oakley, Dustin Oakley, Brandyne Echeandia, Kristan Smith Touchberry, Damon Smith and Dylan Smith; and two great-grandchildren, Zaine and Jack.
Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church in his name or to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home in Decatur.