Obituary for Ronald Vernell Smith
Ronald V. Smith, affectionately known as “Ronnie,” was born on February 8, 1951, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He passed away peacefully on May 5, 2023, surrounded by family members in Paducah, Kentucky, and is rejoicing in Heaven with his LORD and Savior.
Ronnie completed his education in the Chattanooga City School System. He received his primary education at Chattanooga Avenue School. He later became a proud alumni of Howard High School, as a member of the graduating class of 1969. After graduation, Ronnie enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served faithfully and proudly for a short time before returning to Chattanooga.
Ronnie began his civilian career with Combustion Engineering Company, where he worked for 5 years. He then served 23 years with the Electric Power Board (EBP) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While at the Electric Power Board, he became a member of the United States Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program and received the designation of Outstanding Electrician. Ronnie was a responsible, dependable, conscientious worker who was seen as a vital and valuable member of EPB.
Over the years he worked his way up from Groundsman to Under Groundsman, Overhead Lines, and Groundsman Trainer with the EBP. This role later took him from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky to represent EPB during the blizzard of 1993. In recognition of his dedication, hard work, and expertise he became a part of the Paducah Power family serving for six years. While settling in Paducah he would later meet his wife Willa P. Gary. The two would marry on September 25, 1999.
Ronnie had a deep sense of humility and undying love for his family, especially for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He often referred to himself as a “Super Daddy with Superpowers.” He was considered a history buff. He enjoyed studying different cultures and immersed himself in various teachings of religion. He has been described as a comical man, who could tell a story that would have you laughing for days. Ronnie had many interests and talents and was widely recognized for earning his Black Belt in Karate and being an avid Chess player. He was a proud member of Hyksos Temple 123 and Past Master of Phoenix Lodge number 6 in Chattanooga. Ronnie had an overwhelming affection for nature and often marveled at God’s creations. He spent countless hours in his yard watching the songbirds that frequently gathered there.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy L. Smith; his son, Tracy L. Jackson. He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife of 24 years, Willa P. Smith of Paducah, KY; two daughters, Dr. Pamela Smith-Ligon, Atlanta, GA and Tiffany (Ivan) Gunn, Nashville, TN; father, James A. Smith, Chattanooga, TN; sisters, Karen (William) Patterson, Seattle, WA and Valerie (Robert) Thomas, Chattanooga, TN; brothers-in-law, Huey Gary of Paducah, KY, William Gary and Keith Gary both of Seattle, WA; granddaughters, Taylor Jackson, Chattanooga, TN, London K. Ligon, Atlanta, GA, Kacie Jackson, Memphis, TN, Kamryn Gunn, and Kiley Gunn both of Nashville, TN; grandsons, Tracy Odom-Jackson, Tristian Odom, Tyson Odom, and Tevin Jackson all of Chattanooga; nieces, April (Dee) Sharp, Chattanooga, TN, Kristian Patterson, Los Angeles, CA, Kimberley Patterson, Seattle, WA and Kelly Knowles (Mark) of Melbourne, Australia; nephew, Kenneth Freeman; special friends, Charles Daniel, Charles Harris, Julius Summerrow, and George Woodruff, and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in the chapel of John P Franklin Funeral Home with Bishop Kevin Adams officiating and Rev. George Woodruff as eulogist.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The service will be Livestreamed via the John P. Franklin Funeral Home Facebook page.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
Ronnie completed his education in the Chattanooga City School System. He received his primary education at Chattanooga Avenue School. He later became a proud alumni of Howard High School, as a member of the graduating class of 1969. After graduation, Ronnie enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served faithfully and proudly for a short time before returning to Chattanooga.
Ronnie began his civilian career with Combustion Engineering Company, where he worked for 5 years. He then served 23 years with the Electric Power Board (EBP) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While at the Electric Power Board, he became a member of the United States Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program and received the designation of Outstanding Electrician. Ronnie was a responsible, dependable, conscientious worker who was seen as a vital and valuable member of EPB.
Over the years he worked his way up from Groundsman to Under Groundsman, Overhead Lines, and Groundsman Trainer with the EBP. This role later took him from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky to represent EPB during the blizzard of 1993. In recognition of his dedication, hard work, and expertise he became a part of the Paducah Power family serving for six years. While settling in Paducah he would later meet his wife Willa P. Gary. The two would marry on September 25, 1999.
Ronnie had a deep sense of humility and undying love for his family, especially for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He often referred to himself as a “Super Daddy with Superpowers.” He was considered a history buff. He enjoyed studying different cultures and immersed himself in various teachings of religion. He has been described as a comical man, who could tell a story that would have you laughing for days. Ronnie had many interests and talents and was widely recognized for earning his Black Belt in Karate and being an avid Chess player. He was a proud member of Hyksos Temple 123 and Past Master of Phoenix Lodge number 6 in Chattanooga. Ronnie had an overwhelming affection for nature and often marveled at God’s creations. He spent countless hours in his yard watching the songbirds that frequently gathered there.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy L. Smith; his son, Tracy L. Jackson. He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife of 24 years, Willa P. Smith of Paducah, KY; two daughters, Dr. Pamela Smith-Ligon, Atlanta, GA and Tiffany (Ivan) Gunn, Nashville, TN; father, James A. Smith, Chattanooga, TN; sisters, Karen (William) Patterson, Seattle, WA and Valerie (Robert) Thomas, Chattanooga, TN; brothers-in-law, Huey Gary of Paducah, KY, William Gary and Keith Gary both of Seattle, WA; granddaughters, Taylor Jackson, Chattanooga, TN, London K. Ligon, Atlanta, GA, Kacie Jackson, Memphis, TN, Kamryn Gunn, and Kiley Gunn both of Nashville, TN; grandsons, Tracy Odom-Jackson, Tristian Odom, Tyson Odom, and Tevin Jackson all of Chattanooga; nieces, April (Dee) Sharp, Chattanooga, TN, Kristian Patterson, Los Angeles, CA, Kimberley Patterson, Seattle, WA and Kelly Knowles (Mark) of Melbourne, Australia; nephew, Kenneth Freeman; special friends, Charles Daniel, Charles Harris, Julius Summerrow, and George Woodruff, and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in the chapel of John P Franklin Funeral Home with Bishop Kevin Adams officiating and Rev. George Woodruff as eulogist.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The service will be Livestreamed via the John P. Franklin Funeral Home Facebook page.
Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.