Ronnie Smith

Ronnie D. Smith, 73, of Apison, passed away Monday, July 8, 2013.Ronnie was born July 22, 1939, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Perry and Sadie Smith and was a proud member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi Nation.He graduated in 1958 from Capital Hill High School in Oklahoma City where his main interest was vocational education, receiving training in off set printing classes. After high school, Ron was drafted by the Army and served as a medic in Chinon, France. He also served in the 244 Evacuation Reserve during the Cuban missile crisis in Fort Hood, Texas.After returning home, Ron wanted to further his education in the Graphic Arts industry, so he enrolled in classes at Southern Missionary College, while working at the College Press. He continued his education in Graphic Arts, earning his teaching certificate at the University of Tennessee.Ron taught graphic arts at Sequoyah Vocation Center and Harrison Bay Vocational Center until his retirement in 2001.Ron returned to Southern Adventist University, serving as an adjunct professor and taught Graphic Production classes for students in the Visual Arts and Design, Mass Communication and Journalism programs. He loved working with the students and looked forward to it each year.He was a member of Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ron was preceded in death by his twin brother, Donnie Gean Smith; his father, Perry A. Smith; and his mother, Sadie E. Smith.He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara Pace Smith, his two sons, Roger and Randy, of Apison; his sister Patsy Smith Brownfield, of Maud, Okla., and brother Lynn Smith, of Moore, Okla.Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 13, 2013, from 2:30-4 p.m. at the fellowship hall of Ooltewah Seventh-day Adventist church and a memorial service will follow. Ooltewah SDA church located at 9209 Amos Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363.Flowers may be sent to the church.Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ronnie D. Smith, Worthy Student Endowment Fund, Southern Adventist University, PO Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315, or to the Samaritan Center, 9231 Lee Highway, Ooltewah, TN 37363.You are invited to share a personal memory of Ronnie or your condolences with his family at his online guestbook located at www.companionfunerals.com.Companion Funeral & Cremation Service & the Cody family are honored to assist the Smith family with these arrangements.