James "Wesley" Smith

James "Wesley" Smith, 85, Kingsport, passed away on January 14, 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson disease. He was born in Scott County, VA on March 15, 1932. Wesley joined the U.S. Air Force where he gained the rank of Staff Sergeant as a member of the Air Police. He worked at the Kingsport Press until 1963 and moved to New Jersey where he retired from Amtrak as a Train Announcer at Penn Station, NY. Wesley then returned to Kingsport to be closer to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James R. and Edith Smith, and brothers, Virgil Smith and Charles "Bud" Smith.

Wesley is survived by his wife of 63 years, Thelma R. Marcum Smith; daughters, Teresa Sheffey (Ronald) and Elaine Argentiere (John); grandchildren, Elizabeth Pachciarz (Luke), Dr. James Sheffey (Kim), Ashley Parry (David),, and Jessica Perry (Eric); great-grandchildren, Connor, Caitlin, Collin, Caiden and Henry; sister, Nellie Bolling; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A special thanks to Asbury Place for their love and care over the last 4 years.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 12:30 pm with Rev. Steven Spell officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park with Military Rites by American Legion Posts 3/265. Family members will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD, 21741, or the charity of your choice.

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