Thomas Lynn Smith, 86, of Statesville, N.C., went to his eternal home on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville, N.C.

Born on March 20, 1939, in Iredell County, N.C., he was the son of the late Luther Marvin Smith and Bertha Nantz Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Brenda Haynes Smith, and a sister, Nancy Benfield.

Lynn honorably served his country in the United States Air Force. He was proud to have serviced Air Force One during the Kennedy Administration. His first job at the Playhouse Theater in Statesville marked the beginning of a lifelong enjoyment of many special and interesting adventures. He went on to become a purchasing manager for JPS Composite for 59 years. During his free time, he loved going deer hunting and gardening vegetables. His love for music and playing the guitar never ended.

He was of the Christian faith and was an ordained deacon. He lived by the teachings in his Bible and was happy to share his Christian faith with others. He was a former member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church. He was currently an active member of Front Street Baptist Church.

Lynn was the epitome of a Southern Gentleman, in his manners, in his speech, with his smile, and positive attitude about life. He was a man of integrity in all things.

A chance meeting with a pretty young lady while visiting a family member in the hospital began a courtship and marriage that lasted 51 years until Brenda’s passing in 2013. Now their reunion is complete.

In retirement, his days were spent with his grandchildren and children who learned valuable lessons from him. Lynn was a great storyteller of life as he had experienced it, with a part that always revealed his “God is Good” motto. Lynn was a loving husband, daddy, and papaw. All who knew him will miss his wisdom, kind heart, and caring spirit.

Those left to cherish his memory include two precious daughters, Lisa (Mark) Cash and Amy (Jonathan) Gooden; four grandchildren, Alaina (Holden) Cloer, Nicholas Cash, Konnor (Sarah) Gooden, and Karrigan Gooden; a great granddaughter, Amelia Kate Cloer; brother-in-law, Dennis (Mary) Haynes, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Front Street Baptist Church. The funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary with Pastor Troy Skora officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. Martin’s Cemetery on Wallace Springs Road in Statesville with full military honors.

Memorials in Lynn’s memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28677 or online by clicking here or to Jurney’s Assisted Living, 1942 Van Haven Drive, Statesville, NC 28625 and put Thomas Lynn Smith Memorial in the Memo line or online by clicking here.

Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Thomas Lynn Smith.