I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8 And Carthel ran his race with faith, grace and humility up until his death Saturday, the 30th of April 2022 in Jackson, Tennessee.
Carthel Leon Smith Jr, the middle child to the late Carthel Leon and Thelma Thompson Smith, was born on Wednesday, November 14, 1951 and for seventy years touched the lives of countless individuals whether through his personal life or in the forty plus years while practicing civil and trial law throughout West Tennessee. He attended the Lexington schools, graduating from Lexington High School where he lettered in both basketball and football then continuing to the University of Tennessee at Martin for his undergrad courses and ultimately receiving his law degree from the University of Memphis. As one of Lexington’s prominent attorneys he practiced in both state and federal courts. For nearly thirty years he represented Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company as defense counsel, taught Business Law at Jackson State as an adjunct professor and was recognized multiple years as Lexington’s best attorney.
To live a full life, to run the race, encompasses many aspects and Carthel enjoyed them all. Faith was one of these, a Christian man and member of the First United Methodist Church of Lexington, he was a long time teacher of the Harry Orio Sunday School Class and until his last breath, gave all the glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As an avid outdoorsman, Carthel loved to hunt and fish and spent countless hours with his boys and friends in Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Canada, New Zealand and Argentina. Perhaps one of his greatest passions was working with his Tennessee Walking Horses. Most weekends if Carthel wasn’t competing with his horses, he was the master of ceremonies of Walking Horse shows all through West Tennessee and even in Mississippi.
Together Libby Marcom Smith and Carthel were blessed with two boys, Justin and Nathan. Justin and his wife, Kendra have two sons, Rhett and Wynn and Nathan and his wife Emily Thomson have two boys, Harvey and Oliver. Preceding Carthel in death were his two sisters, Teresa Smith and Sandra Hancock and their children: Ametra McCollum, Mandy and Casey Hancock survive them.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 am Wednesday, May 4th at the First United Methodist Church of Lexington. Pall Bearers will include: Steve Milam, Stephen Milam, Ronnie Stanfill, Allen Lipford, Bill Woods, Casey and Jerome Hancock, Jerry Morgan, David Veteto, Joey Wall, Paul Aaron, Howard Hamilton and in memorium, P.H. “Buddy” Payne and Richard Odle. Visitation with the Smith family will be Tuesday, 3:00 – 7:00 PM at Pafford Funeral Home of Lexington. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
