Jerry Travis Smith

Jerry Travis Smith passed away at his residence on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, in Cumberland Furnace, TN. He was born on December 10, 1944, in Houston County, Tennessee, to the late James and Addie Smith. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at Gateway Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M with Rev. James Green officiating. A visitation will take place on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Gateway Funeral Home from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will follow after the funeral service at the Shelton Family Cemetery. Masonic Camp Lodge #445 will perform a ceremony at 7:00 P.M. during the visitation on Friday, September 18, 2020, at Gateway Funeral Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James R. Smith and Addie L. Smith, and his Great-Grandson, Judah A. Massa. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Rebecca A. Smith; son, Brian T. Smith (Bethany); daughter, K. Whitney Martin (Patrick); Grandchildren: Sarah Massa (Michael), McKenzie Brown (Christian), Rebecca M. Smith (Case Eaton), and Kaydee Martin.; Great-Grandchildren: Ruthie and Haegan Massa, as well as many nieces and nephews; Brother Jimmy Smith (Vickie), and Sister Dr. Janet F. Smith (James). The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to AseraCare Hospice for their great care and compassion during this time.

Jerry was a machinist and a business owner. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in Germany throughout the 1960s. He was an avid sportsman and loved to fish and hunt. His final wish was to be buried in a casket constructed of Sassafras wood harvested from the family farm. The casket he will be laid to rest in was hand-built by his daughter, son-in-law, and son, and is to be covered only by the American flag, thus bringing his wishes to fruition.