Bessie M. Taylor

Bessie married William Albert Smith about 1918 in , Knox County, Tennessee, . William was born on 20 Jun 1889 in , Knox County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ralph Eugene Smith, 88, 406 Garland Branch Road, Watauga, died Friday, June 27, 2008, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Medical Center at Mountain Home.

Mr. Smith was a native of Knoxville who had lived most of his life in this area. He was the son of the late William A. and Bessie Taylor Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William A. Smith, and three sisters, Iva Keck, Marie Smith and Mildred Rogers.

Mr. Smith was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He was a member of New Hope Christian Church and a member of the Johnson City Masonic Lodge #486.

Survivors include two sons, Billy Joe Smith and his wife, Phyllis, Bluff City, and Dana E. Smith and his wife, Robin, Abingdon, Va.; two daughters, Vickie Wikle and her husband, Joe, Knoxville, and Patricia Howell and her husband, Chris, Johnson City; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mr. Smith will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 29, in the Morris-Baker South Chapel with. Mr. Paul Peer and Mr. Frank Williams officiating. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

Ralph married Hazel Marie Shell on 27 Sep 1947 in , Carter County, Tennessee, . Hazel (daughter of Joseph Fletcher Shell and Verna L. Curd) was born on 26 Jun 1926 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; died on 18 Mar 1996 in , Giles County, Tennessee, ; was buried in Mountain Home National Cemetery, Washington County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

JOHNSON CITY - Vickie Lynn Wikle, 73, of Johnson City died Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville. She was a native of Johnson City, daughter of the late Ralph Eugene and Hazel Marie Shell Smith.

Vickie was a registered nurse and spent most of her career at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, TN. She graduated from the Diploma Program at Baptist and later received a BS degree from Tusculum University. Vickie was known for her cooking and baking, she generously shared with coworkers, friends and family. Vickie was also an avid sports fan who strongly supported the Tennessee Vols.

After caring for her husband for several years, Vickie returned to Johnson City to care for her sister. Vickie shared her love of canning with her aunt, Betty Grindstaff. The two spent many days canning together and sharing with family and friends. Vickie attended Southside Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Wikle, a sister, Patty Howell and sister-in-law, Phyllis Smith.

Survivors include her brothers, Joe Smith and Dana Smith (Robin); brother-in-law Chris Howell; her aunt Betty Grindstaff; best friend June Hubbs; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many other special friends and coworkers.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 31, 2022, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm in the Dogwood Chapel at Morris-Baker. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 pm under the direction of Chaplain Dan Hix and Pastor Randy Lester. Vickie and her husband Joe will be interred at Mt. Home National Cemetery together at a later date.