Warren Hugh Smith

Warren Hugh Smith, age 89, resident of the Oakland Community, United States Navy World War II Veteran, retired Warehouse Manager for Merck Drug Company in Memphis and husband of the late Lillie Mae Mathis Smith, departed this life Monday afternoon, May 25, 2015 at the National HealthCare Center in Somerville.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Smith were conducted at 2 P.M. Friday, May 29th at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Bro. Rhesa Davis, pastor of Feathers Chapel Baptist Church in Somerville, officiating. Personal remarks were given by Tiffany Smith. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - West Chapel at Oakland.

Mr. Smith was born March 5, 1926 in Alamo, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Warren Smith and Ester Jewell Belton Smith. He attended Halls High School through the 10th grade.

On March 3, 1944, he joined the United States Navy and was inducted at Memphis. Warren was a Seaman First Class and served with the following listed vessels and stations: NRS Memphis, TN, NTS San Diego, CA, Const. Batt USNCTC Williamsburg, VA, Ship's Co. Camp Peary Williamsburg, VA, ATB Camp Bradford Norfolk, VA, USN Barracks Houston, TX, NAS Memphis, TN and the USS LST 284. He spent 15 months on the USS LST 284, an ammunitions supply ship that supplied ammunition to destroyer's, DE's and the battleship, "Tennessee". Warren and the crew offloaded the ammunition and sailed to Leyte Gulf in the Philippines and were still there when the war ended. They then began transporting occupation troops to Yokohama, Japan. They made three loads, one from Battan and two from Okinawa. On May 20, 1946, Warren was discharged from the Navy at the U.S. Naval Personnel Separation Center at Memphis with the following citations, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with one star, American Area Ribbon, Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

On May 20, 1950, Mr. Smith was married to the former Lillie Mathis, who preceded him in death on August 29, 2012. Mrs. Smith was the daughter of Dave and Duffie Mathis of the Topsy Community in Wayne County. He was employed for 33 years with Merck Drug Company in Memphis, retiring as a warehouse manager. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were residents of the Oakland Community at the time of their death. They were members of the Feathers Chapel Baptist Church in Somerville. He enjoyed fishing, horseback riding, farming, gardening, telling World War II stories and special times with his family members and friends.

Mr. Smith is survived by three sons, Curtis Wayne Smith (Diane) of Snellville, GA, Terry Lane Smith (Donna) of Oakland, Ronald Smith of Oakland; his sister, Katie Sue Arnold of Oklahoma City, OK; ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Barney Buckner, Martha Ann Smith and two brothers, Dave Smith, Jr. and Bobby Smith.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Lee Nickels, Tim Miles, Danny Godsey, Ricky Godsey, Mickie Godsey and Kevin Smith.

The family requests that memorials be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148.