Melvin B. Smith, 74 of South Pittsburg was called home on Monday, January 19. Born on May 18, 1951 in South Pittsburg, he was the son of Russell B. Smith and Betty Goff and grew up rooted in the community he loved. A dedicated and skilled mechanic, Melvin spent his career with Walker Oil Company, where he was known for his steady hands, strong work ethic, and willingness to help anyone who needed it. His life, however, was defined far beyond his work. Melvin found joy in the simple, quiet gifts of the outdoors, fishing along familiar waters, searching for ginseng in the hills, and spending time under open skies. Melvin was a devoted family man whose greatest happiness came from the people he loved. He shared 41 years of marriage with his wife, Debbie Crouch Smith, a partnership marked by loyalty, laughter, and deep affection. His family remembers him as a gentle, steady presence, someone who listened well, loved fully, and made every gathering feel complete. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and a life lived close to the land and close to those he cherished.
Melvin is preceded in death by his father Russell B. Smith, mother Betty Goff and sister Jennifer Smith Davis.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife Debbie Crouch Smith, brothers James (Linda) Smith, Eugene Smith, Wayne Smith and Robert (Cheryl) Smith, as well as several nieces, nephews, other family members and special friends.
There will be a memorial at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee, 423-942-9500.
The Marion Tribune – January 22, 2026