James Greely Smotherman, age 87, of Shelbyville, passed peacefully from this life early Thursday morning, December 4, 2025, at home after an extended illness.
Greely was born on June 21, 1938, in Christiana to the late Jesse B. and Lula Iris Sanders Smotherman. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Vicky Lynn Rivait; and siblings Grady B. Smotherman, Russell Earl Smotherman, Joseph Curtis Smotherman, Alta Ruth, Alice Josephine, twin infant brothers Ralph and Randolf Smotherman; and grandson, Jay Dalton. He is survived by his children, Kimberly Elaine Smotherman, Melissa Diane
Gongola, and James Timothy (Brenda) Smotherman; siblings Betty Linda
(Howard) and Carey Wayne (Debbie); along with 9 grandchildren; and 10
great-grandchildren.
Greely was born a sharecropper’s son in the Midland community of Rutherford
County, TN, and later graduated from Christiana School. He began his career at Fly Manufacturing Company, where he worked for five years, followed by more than a decade at Samsonite. He later joined the City of Shelbyville Fire Department, dedicating thirty years of service, including two years as Assistant Fire Chief.
Alongside his career, he was a member of Eastview Baptist Church. He embodied a strong work ethic and commitment to his family and church.
He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to family, his service to
community, and the kindness he showed to all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 8, 2025, in the chapel of Doak-Howell Funeral Home with Brother Bryan Smotherman officiating. Burial will follow at Willow Mount Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be held Monday, prior to services beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.
www.doakhowellfuneralhome.com
