Tom Smith took his step into the next life on Sunday, May 30, 2021, after recently celebrating his 90th birthday. The days leading up to his peaceful, quiet passing were filled with the love of his family and friends, and he died in the arms of the love of his life.
Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years: Rebecca Knowles Smith; his children: Steve(Amy) Smith, Malinda (Kyron) Yarbrough and Catherine (Todd) Bennett and his grandchildren: Emily Yarbrough, Devin Bennett, Miles (and fiancé Madison Shaw) Bennett, Stella Smith, Mattie Smith and Rachel Bennett. He is also survived by his brothers: Sherrill Smith (Barbara) and Bill (Babe) Smith (Rose Ann) and his nieces and nephews: Fisher and Thomas Hutches, Tom David, Chrissy and Ann Margaret Smith and Michael Frazier. He was preceded in death by his dear sister: Martha Sue Hutchens and her husband Vernon (Hutch); his niece: Kim Smith McGlothlen and his nephew: John Frazier.
A 1949 graduate of Cullman High School, Tom served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Following his time overseas, he attended the University of Alabama, earning an accounting degree in 1953. He was on his way to Atlanta, Georgia to begin his career as an accountant when Dean Leigh Harrison convinced Tom to give law school a try. As he did with all of his other academic pursuits, Tom excelled in law school, serving as a member of an award-winning moot court team and earning admittance into the Farrah Law Society. He earned his law degree in 1957 and returned to Cullman to open his law office, making him the fourth generation of his family to live and work in Cullman. He practiced law in Cullman for over 60 years; the last 30 with his son, Steve.
His good friend, high school classmate and fellow attorney, Tom Drake, once said, “The one way to guarantee making a good grade in school was to sit by Tom Smith and look over his shoulder.” Another life-long friend and college roommate, Joe Brindley, said, “Tom Smith is the only person I ever knew who could study for an exam, listen to a ballgame on the radio, eat a sandwich, drink a beer and play poker, all at the same time.”
Tom and Becky are among the longest serving members of Grace Episcopal Church. A boater, world traveler, sports fan, dog lover and wife adorer, Tom loved many and many loved him. No one can remember a family meal that did not begin with Papa giving the blessing. He was an old-school lawyer–a man of his word. His agreements did not have to be reduced to writing. If he said it, he meant it and did it. He led a long life. A productive life. A love-filled life. His was a life well-lived.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
A celebration of life service will be held on June 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Grace Episcopal Church in Cullman.
