Michael Smith

Michael Newman Smith (May 6, 1952-October 26, 2023)

Michael Newman Smith, 71, of Athens passed away at Lifecare Center of Athens on October 26, 2023.

He was born in Lake Wells, Florida in 1952 to Newman and Wynell Smith, and raised in Pensacola, Florida. He moved to Etowah in 1964 and graduated from Central High School of McMinn County in 1971.

He leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Gail (Harris) Smith, only daughter, Mary Beth (Joshua) Smith Brown, his sister, Beverley (Jerry) Bartola, niece Tina Bartola, a host of brothers- and sisters-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

As a young man, he was a rescue SCUBA diver for the McMinn County Rescue Squad and surrounding areas, along with his father, Newman, and dive partner Ronnie Miller. He went on to become a firefighter for the City of Athens until 1980, when he left that position to work for ExCello/Textron/Collins & Aikman until their closure in 2007. Once Collins & Aikman had ceased operations in Athens, he moved to East Tennessee Industrial Warehouse of Etowah, where he was a tow motor operator until his retirement in 2018.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Newman and Wynell Smith.

There will be a Memorial Service for Michael on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Companion Funeral & Cremation Services, 400 S. White St., Athens, TN 37303. The family will be receiving friends from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

You are encouraged to share a memory of Michael and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist his family with these arrangements.