John David Smith, 66, of Muscle Shoals knocked on heaven’s door, May 18, 2025 and entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior and was made whole again.
Born in Rochelle, IL September 9, 1958 to the late James and Clara Smith (Lawson), he joined his brother James N. Smith, Jr. and sister JoAnn Smith Choat-Scott (Joe) both currently of Barton, AL.
John attended schools in IL as well as a one-room school house in Franklin County and later Colbert County, AL schools. He was a graduate of Colbert County High School. He also attended NWSCC.
After a 7-year courtship John said to Elisea Rene’ Hatton-Smith, “It’s now or never,” in 1986 and they married July 4th. They had 2 children: Brittany Annelise and Rachel Kaitlyn.
John was a welder at several different manufacturing plants in the Shoals, and he was a truck driver early in his career.
He loved being outdoors, water skiing, planting flowers, classic rock music, his children, grandchildren and his pets.
John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rene’, his children, Brittany Annelise Smith Cabler (Justin) and Rachel Kaitlyn Smith Inocencio (Andrew); Four grandchildren, Kendall Briley Smith, James Kalen Cabler, Katelyn Elyse Cabler, and Magnolia Grace Inocencio; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
John will especially be remembered as someone who never met a stranger, was a hard-working man to the end, loved to make others laugh, and dipped his prosthetics into the Gulf of Mexico as well as played air guitar on them at concerts.
He encouraged his girls to have fun, be fearless and not to tell their Mom about the dangerous fun.
The family would like to especially thank Marcia Hulsey and Sharon McGee for providing laughter and wonderful care through Preferred Hospice. Yipee Ki-Yay, Marcia.
A celebration of his life will be held at Shelter 1 at McFarland Park Florence, AL on Friday, May 23, 2025 from 2:00-4:00. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial donation to the research foundation for the disease that John valiantly fought for 51 years, Type 1 diabetes.
