Ray Edgar Smithson

Name: Ray Edgar Smithson Age: 79

Of: Dickson, TN Passed Away: on Wednesday, September 09, 2026 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

Ray was a quiet man who took great joy in assisting those who were in need of a helping hand. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia on August 23, 1947 to Billy Bernard Smithson and Winnie Alwildia Stewart Smithson, and moved with his family at an early age to the Detroit area of Michigan.

After joining the Marine Corp in 1968 and went on to Vietnam in December of 1969 where he served as a Gunnery. Ray retired from the Marine Corp in and went on to join Bell South as a Directory Assistance Operator. He moved his family from Memphis Tennessee to Dickson Tennessee and remained with the company until he retired.

Upon retirement he opened several thrift stores and pursued his love of salvaging and repurposing other people’s junk. He enjoyed coin-collecting. He had a love of History, especially the Romans. Ray appreciated and enjoyed being outside in nature. He appreciated life and was tough, and enjoyed the simple things in life, avoiding fancy restaurants and other things that were out-of-reach to those who could not afford them. Everyone will remember him as a great navigator and benefited from his knowledge of zip codes and area codes, and more than once, he was able to pull out a map and assist someone with route guidance much better than Google Maps. Ray will be deeply missed by those who love him.

Visitation: will begin on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 12 – 4 PM until the time of service at Spann Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: will begin at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from the Chapel of Spann Funeral Home.

Interment: will follow at a later date at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.

Survived by:

Daughters:

Bonnie Manjarrez (Jose) of Weaver, AL

Patricia Tidwell (Micah) of Bon Aqua, TN

Stephanie Lilly of Dickson, TN

Sisters:

Elva Smith (Jack) of Plymouth, MI

Cy Sharrow (Mike) of Standish, MI

Grandchildren:

Morghan Blanks, Elsie Tidwell, Eduardo Manjarrez, Olivia Tidwell, Alejandra Manjarrez

As well as

Girlfriend: Karen Hoskins

Close friend: Donny Mills

Preceded in death by:

Parents: Billy and Winnie (Stewart) Smithson

Niece: Christina Glenz

Arrangements entrusted to Spann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, located in Dickson, Tennessee.

Spann Funeral Home serves families throughout Dickson County including Dickson, Charlotte, Burns, White Bluff, Fairview, Bon Aqua, Lyles, and Cumberland Furnace, as well as other surrounding Middle Tennessee communities