George Gilbert Smith

George Gilbert Smith, born January 11, 1935, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at West Hills Nursing Facility.

George attend Austin High School in Knoxville. He was well known in the community as one who would help others in need and spend time with children. He was an entrepreneur and owned a night club “The Other Place” and managed “The Village Barn” on Asheville Highway in Knoxville. He was also a skilled craftsman, specializing in woodwork and leathercraft. George was a snazzy dresser, and he made a lasting impression on those he knew. He also loved his two dogs, “E” and “BG”. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Hudgens Eskridge, his father Malcolm Smith, his sons Marcus “Rocky” Smith, Tony Hamilton, Stewart DeVault, Antonio Williams, and daughter Tronda Jenkins.

He is survived by his children Darling (Ken) Martin, George “Scrappy” (Diane) Smith, Cherry Fletcher, Darren Higgins, Kevin “JoRoc” DeVault (Bonita), Gloria (John) Donaldson, and Malcolm Smith.

He is also survived by his siblings Marshall (Armentha) Eskridge, James’s “Jimmy” Hillard Eskridge, and Brenda Joyce Eskridge Flint; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A public viewing will be held on Thursday, July11, 2024 from 12 noon – 8 pm at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, 2823 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 1pm – 2 pm at Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 2714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914. The funeral service will follow at 2 pm.

ARRANGEMENTS BY JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY