James Edward Smotherman, born September 25, 1931 at Wartrace, TN, passed away April 12, 2015 at Vanderbilt Hospital. A resident of College Grove, TN since 1967, he was preceded in death by his parents W. E. Smotherman and Willie M. McClaran, his brother Travis E. Smotherman and his sister Dorothy Smotherman Cates. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Carolyn Odle Smotherman and by his daughters Catherine Smotherman and Amy Smotherman, his son Joe Smotherman (Jennifer), granddaughter Amelia Bogan, grandson Daniel Smotherman, and two great-grandsons, James R. and Wyatt M. Smotherman.
Jim graduated from Wartrace High School in 1949, having attended there all 12 years, playing football, basketball and baseball. He immediately joined the U. S. Army, serving in Japan during the Korean War. He worked for the NC&StL Railway and for Redstone Arsenal where he earned the title of engineer. Moving back to Tennessee, he attended Middle Tennessee State University where he received a master’s degree in 1975 and he taught at Northside Junior High School and Grassland Middle School in Williamson County. After retiring, he opened Franklin Station Antique Mall in Franklin, TN in the early 1990s.
While he enjoyed fishing and gardening, his passion was buying antiques, collectibles and junk and, when the price was right, selling some of his treasures. He enjoyed his grandchildren, frequently telling stories about keeping Amelia and had good times with the two little greats.
Visitation will be at Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, TN from 4 till 8 pm Wednesday, April 15. Graveside services will be at 11 am Thursday, April 16 at Hollywood Cemetery, Wartrace, TN. For those who wish to make a memorial, the family suggests Hollywood Cemetery, P. O. Box 158, Wartrace, TN 37183.
