James L. Smith, Jr

James L. Smith, Jr., age 82 of Paris, TN, died Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at AHC of Paris.

He retired from the trucking industry after 33 and a half years with Dealer’s Transport in Louisville, KY.  James was an avid golfer and loved going to Louisville each year for the annual family golf outing.  He also enjoyed meeting his golfing buddies for breakfast.  He loved his family very much and was Baptist in belief.

James was born December 29, 1937, in Paris, TN, to the late James Loyd Smith, Sr., and the late Ethel Corene Hudson Smith.

He is survived by one daughter, Teresa Smith Haley of Paris, TN; four sons, James Stephen (April) Smith of Great Falls, MT, Michael Lloyd Smith of Louisville, KY, Phillip Dean (Eva) Smith of Louisville, KY, and Leslie Scott (Crystal) Smith of Louisville, KY; two sisters, Sue Hooper of Paris, TN, and Sherron (Lester) Riggins of Paris, TN; five brothers, Dale (Brenda) Smith of Paris, TN, Jerry (Pat) Smith of The Villages, FL, Jacky (Geralda) Smith of Shelbyville, KY, Rex (Verla) Smith of Puryear, TN, and Jeff (Kelly) Smith of Paris, TN; six grandchildren, Kevin Smith, Jessica (Matt) O’Brien, Brittany (Hardy) Bidwell, Dakota Smith, Cortney (Justin) Stutzman, and Skylar Haley; 9 great grandchildren; special friend, Mary Ann Grace of Paris, TN, and her daughter, Carol (Danny) Carter of Paris, TN.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Carolyn “Tee” Vaughn and Phyllis Planchart; and two brothers, Ronnie Smith and Terry Gene Smith.

Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home 201 Dunlap St., Paris, TN, 38242.  Visitation will be Saturday, January 18, 2020, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Ridgeway Funeral Home, and continue Sunday, January 19, 2020, from 8:00 am – 10:00 am.  The funeral service will be Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 10:00 am at LeDon Chapel of Ridgeway Funeral Home, with Steve Gallimore and Chad Kennedy officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Teresa Haley, Cortney Stutzman, Jessica O’Brien, Brittany Bidwell, Skylar Haley, and Kevin Smith.  Named as honorary pallbearers are Sherron Riggins, Sue Hooper, and his golfing buddies.

Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Paris, TN.