| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 7 Apr 2001.
Edith Smelcer Hicks obituary
- [S76] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume III, 1974-1986, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 13 Mar 1983.
Leonard Howard Branch obituary
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 10 May 1970.
Clifford Kenneth Smelcer obituary
- [S51] The Seymour Herald, (www.smokymountainherald.com), 12 Apr 2011.
couple lives full lives
Ben Lawson
Edward and Arminda Smeltzer: together for 63 years.
By Ben Lawson
Edward and Arminda Smeltzer have seen a lot in their 63 years of marriage, but can smile when they say it was well worth the time.
Edward grew up near Pittman Center, while Arminda was born in North Carolina. They met when they were young, he was 16 and she was 15. Edward didn’t listen when people said there were plenty of girls to choose from.
“The rest weren’t big enough,” Arminda said with a smile.
Now he is 83, she is 82 and their family has grown with seven children, nine grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.
There was a time when it seemed they might not last. He entered service with the Air Force in 1946, spending time in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines, and Brazil. Arminda wrote him a “Dear John” letter to end their relationship.
But it wasn’t to be. When he came home in 1947, they picked back up that October and were married Nov. 10.
They never had a honeymoon. “Coming home to her every night was my honeymoon,” Edward said.
Times were different back then. Edward can recall when gas was 29 cents a gallon and Arminda remembers not having running water.
“We had running water when we ran to the spring to get it,” she said.
One thing that hasn’t changed was a lack of jobs, which prompted their move from Sevier County to South Knoxville in 1952. Edward worked at Kerns Bakery, at the David Witherspoon scrap company, and retired from the Sevier County Highway Department. Arminda didn’t go to work until the kids were grown up, and then spent 13 years with the Sevier County Health Care Center. She hasn’t slowed down yet.
“I still work. Making a garden, doing dishes, and taking care of my husband,” she said.
Two of their sons served in Vietnam. The oldest, Jonas, worked with Edward operating cranes, knowledge he put to use building bridges in Vietnam. He’s now Sevier County Road Superintendent. Another son retired from Alcoa Aluminum Company after 30 years. All of their children still live in the area except Beatrice, who calls Copper Hill home.
A testament to the Smeltzers’ character can be seen in the people who occupy their rental house. They’ve been there for 27 years.
“God’s been good to us,” Edward said.
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 24 Jan 2016.
January 3, 1928 - January 24, 2016
Resided in Knoxville, TN
Edward E. Smelcer, age 88 of Knoxville, passed Sunday, January 24, 2016. He was retired from the Sevier County Highway Department and a member of the Seymour Baptist Tabernacle.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dave and Nellie Smelcer; son, Kenneth Smelcer; Siblings, Edith, Eugene, and Imogene Olan.
Survivors:
Wife: Arminda Smelcer;
Sons and Daughter-in-laws: Jonas and Teresa Smelcer, Norman and Sandra Smelcer, Bobby Smelcer, Jerry and Darlene Smelcer;
Daughters and Son-in-laws: Priscilla and Howard Fortenberry, Beatrice and Daniel Hicks;
11 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren, and 5 Great-Great Grandchidren
Sister: Odessa Hall
Funeral service 7 PM Tuesday in Atchley's Seymour Chapel with Rev. Norman Smelcer, Rev. Carl Gibson, and Rev. Jimmy Riner officiating. Interment 11 AM Wednesday in Highland South Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be: Norman Smelcer, Jr., Gary Fortenberry, Dustin Smelcer, Dillon Smelcer, Donnie Adams, Curtis Adams, and Hengli Zhang. The family will receive friends 4-6:30 PM Tuesday at Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour, 122 Peacock Court, Seymour, TN. 37865. (865)577-2807. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.
January 3, 1928 - January 24, 2016
Resided in Knoxville, TN
Guestbook Photos Services
Obituary
Edward E. Smelcer, age 88 of Knoxville, passed Sunday, January 24, 2016. He was retired from the Sevier County Highway Department and a member of the Seymour Baptist Tabernacle.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dave and Nellie Smelcer; son, Kenneth Smelcer; Siblings, Edith, Eugene, and Imogene Olan.
Survivors:
Wife: Arminda Smelcer;
Sons and Daughter-in-laws: Jonas and Teresa Smelcer, Norman and Sandra Smelcer, Bobby Smelcer, Jerry and Darlene Smelcer;
Daughters and Son-in-laws: Priscilla and Howard Fortenberry, Beatrice and Daniel Hicks;
11 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren, and 5 Great-Great Grandchidren
Sister: Odessa Hall
Funeral service 7 PM Tuesday in Atchley's Seymour Chapel with Rev. Norman Smelcer, Rev. Carl Gibson, and Rev. Jimmy Riner officiating. Interment 11 AM Wednesday in Highland South Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be: Norman Smelcer, Jr., Gary Fortenberry, Dustin Smelcer, Dillon Smelcer, Donnie Adams, Curtis Adams, and Hengli Zhang. The family will receive friends 4-6:30 PM Tuesday at Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour, 122 Peacock Court, Seymour, TN. 37865. (865)577-2807. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 157454129).
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