Rev. Claude Drexel Smith Obituary (1948 - 2021)

Rev. Claude Smith, 72, of Afton, passed away at his home on Friday, April 9, 2021. He was a member of the Lord’s House in Chuckey where he served as assistant pastor for 40 years. He was retired from the Eastman Company after 30 years of service. He is survived by two sons: Austin Smith of the home, Jimmy (Becky) Smith of Morristown; three daughters: Angie (Toney) Hensley of Afton, Tisha (Michael) Wilburn of Afton, Erica (Sean) Rayon of Afton; children raised as his own: Tina & Scott Wilkerson, Jackie Dalton; grandchildren: Lindsay (David) Norton, Hayleigh Hensley, Leiland Hensley, Ethan Rayon, Allen Smith, Anthony Smith, Nicole (Ethan) Bowles, Gracie Smith; great-children: Paisley Smith, Ashton Smith, Grayson Bowles; brother and sister-in-law: Pete & Dianna Smith of Kingsport; special aunt: Bonnie and Mack Wood. He had a special brother in Christ, Rev. Ken Thacker. A special friend, Andrew Marshall. He was known as the church’s papaw and loved each of them dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Lois Smith; his parents: Haskell & Eloise Smith; 2 grandchildren: Makayla Rayon, Carolyn Smith; brother: Herman Smith. The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 1-3PM and 5-7PM at Jeffers Funeral Chapel in Afton. The funeral will follow at 7PM with Rev. Ken Thacker officiating. The graveside service will be on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 10:30AM at Graceland Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Scott Wilkerson, Tommy Chandler, Teddy Partin, Albert Shuffler, Allen Williams and Timmy Price. Honorary pallbearers will be all his music picking friends at the Railroad Museum in Bulls Gap and the Rheatown store. Thoughts and memories may be shared with the family at www.jeffersmortuary.com Jeffers Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Rev. Claude Drexel Smith, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.