Herschel Kennon (H.K.) Smith was born February 5, 1915 in
Lexington, Tennessee and is the only living son of Samuel
Kennon Smith and Joe Henry (Moffitt) Smith. (His younger
sister, JoeAnn Smith, was born July 4, 1926 in Bruceton.
H.K. Smith started to school in Lexington, but in 1924 the
Smiths moved to Bruceton in Carroll County where he finished
his formal education. He became a building contractor when a
young man, in which vocation he was an acknowledged success.
His buildings located throughout Carroll County and West
Tennessee attest to his fine ability as a contractor.
December 25, 1936. H.K. Smith was married to Dorothy
McGrady (born May 5, 1917, Camden), a daughter of James
Patrick and Cassie McGrady of Benton County. The Smiths
moved from Bruceton to McKenzie in March 1941 where they
lived for two decades; then moved to Memphis in October 1964
and since July 1969 they have lived in Jackson, Tennessee.
H.K. Smith served in the U.S. Navy, in the Pacific during
the second World War served as commander of American Legion
Post 37 in McKenzie 1949; was a charter member of the Rotary
Club in McKenzie; a member of the Lions Club and the V.F.W.
He is a York Rite Mason and Shriner and was a member of the
board of stewards of First Methodist Church in McKenzie. 1946-
1964. While living in McKenkie H.K. Smith contributed
liberally in numerous worthy causes and organizations,
including Bethel College. He was a sometime alderman of this
town. Dorothy Smith was for years a Sunday School teacher and
Eastern Star. Her children have long been grateful that she was a
dedicated homemaker as their father was a building contractor.
H.K. and Dorothy Smith celebrated their Golden Wedding
anniversary on December 25, 1986. Their three children; James
Smith who was born and died October 24, 1937. in Bruceton,
(He is buried in the family lot Eastview Cemetery near
Camden). Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith, born May 8,
1939 in Camden, is an educator and Benton County Historian,
emeritus, and has been a resident of Memphis. Tennessee for
many years. Lucinda Sue (Cindy) Smith, born December 7,
1942 in Camden, is the wife of Colin Charles Hart: they live
in London, England and have two daughters. Lisa Carole Hart
born April 9, 1970 and Lara Candice Hart, born March 24, 1974.
Submitted by: Jonathan Smith and Cindy S. Hart
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