Holiday Smith

Holiday Smith, 94, died Thursday morning, November 8, 2007 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

?I expect to pass through life but once; If, therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good things I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now, and not defer it or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.? William Penn

Holiday was born in Dickenson County, VA on November 28, 1912. He resided in Scott County until moving to Kingsport. He was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School. Before graduating in 1930, he held the record for running the mile 4:20, which stood for 35 years.

He worked for Eastman Kodak for 44 years, retiring in 1974 as Superintendent of the Tenite Polyolefin Division.

Holiday was a Civitan for 55 years. He served the Evening Civitan Club in many capacities including President and Chaplain. For 49 years he was renowned as Claxton Fruitcake Chairman. In 1955 he provided leadership as the Appalachian District Governor. Holiday was named Civitan of the Year in 1969. In 1996 the Charlie Keener Good Citizenship Award was presented to him.

Holiday was actively involved in the community in many ways. He was a founding director of the Bank of Tennessee. He was instrumental in the founding of Kingsport Contact-Concern and he helped develop the Shepherd Center. In 1995, Holiday was nominated by the Center and received the Service to Mankind Award given by Sertoma International. He was chairman of the Palmer Center Advisory Board. Holiday also served as director of the East Tennessee Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Holiday and his wife Pearl were selected as Grand Marshals for the 2000 Mack Riddle American Legion 4th of July Parade.

He became a Mason in 1934 and became a Master Mason the same year. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, York Rite Mason, Shriner at Jericho Temple, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Holiday was one of the founders and a charter member of Mafair United Methodist Church for 73 years. He served Mafair as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, chairman of the board, lay leader and lay speaker. He has served in the Holston Methodist Conference and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. Holiday was a delegate to three World Methodist Conferences in London, Singapore, and Rio de Janeiro. While at Mafair, he established the McConnell Scholarship Endowment Foundation.

Holiday remained an avid gardener until he and Pearl moved to Asbury Place at Steadman Hill. He lived by the words of Robert Lewis Stevenson, ?Don?t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Blanche Lane Smith to whom he was married 52 years; his father, Charles T. Smith; his mother, Maxie Fleming Smith; three brothers, Jack, Ernest, and M. T.; and one sister, Pauline S. O?Dell.

Holiday is survived by his wife of 20 years, Pearl Hurd Gulley Smith; one daughter, Betsy, S. Valentini; one stepdaughter, Wanda G. Smith and husband John; brother-in-law, Tom O?Dell; grandchildren, Gina V. Hefner and husband Kelly, Dino Valentini and wife Aninda, Holli V. Wilson and husband Derek, John R. McLellan and wife Michelle, and Jason R. McLellan and wife Amy; great-grandchildren, Marly, Cage, Brittany, Jessie, Sammy, Kaile, Sydnee, and Ava; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family wishes to graciously acknowledge the loving care given to Holiday while living at Steadman Hill and during his final stay at the Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Calling hours are from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Mafair United Methodist Church with Rev. Ralph M. Kidd officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Masonic graveside rights will be conducted by Lodge #688, F.&A.M.

Pallbearers will be Dino Valentini, Kelly Hefner, Derek Wilson, John S. McLellan, John R. McLellan, and Jason R. McLellan.

In lieu of flowers, his family wishes donations to be sent to Mafair Methodist Church, c/o McConnell Scholarship Fund, 1409 East Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37664.