James Smathers

Waynesville, James Gordon Smathers, 95, of Walker Road, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2016 at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Jackson County, he had lived most of his adult life in Haywood County. Gordon was born the third of thirteen children to the late William Rufus and Bertha "Inez" Derrick Smathers. Growing up in the Smathers family was very hard, but they learned to appreciate the little things they received. In addition to his parents, Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Caroline Kenney Smathers, who died this past January; a daughter, Fran Drinnon; four brothers, Rufus Eugene, (infant) Harry Arthur, William Kenneth and Willis "Bud" Franklin Smathers; and five sisters, Carene Lewis, Mildred Medford, Bessie Wood, Dorothy Clark and Phyllis Roper. Gordon married Betty Kenney in 1940 and was working at A.C. Lawrence Leather Company when he received the call to serve in the US Navy during World War II. He traveled across the Atlantic Ocean six times to deliver ammunition to the troops in Europe. Within ten days of being discharged, he returned to his job at the leather company in Waynesville and retired in 1976 after 35 years of service. Gordon became a very active member of North Hazelwood Baptist Church. Gordon was a humble and kind servant of the Lord. He sacrificed his own needs for his family and his country and was always appreciative of the smallest acts of kindness from others. People who knew him, will remember his sense of humor and his comical stories. Gordon is survived by a son, Doug Smathers and wife, Jimmie of Waynesville; one daughter, Shirley Moody and husband, Danny, also of Waynesville; three sisters, Patsy Nix, Margie Stamey and Judy Smathers; 5 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 on Sunday, November 20 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend James Hensley officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Waynesville Lions Club, Clinical Eye Research, P.O. Box 1061, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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