Clifford (Cliff) Samuel Smathers, Jr.

Leicester – Clifford Samuel Smathers, Jr. (Cliff) passed away on July 21, 2024. He was hospitalized for a short time before being placed in Hospice care. With his death coming quickly, his family is heartbroken, but they are happy for the many years he remained healthy and energetic enough to finish a great career and work his farm with great enjoyment. He was determined to have a joyful life. He had no greater joy than to spend time with his sons and their families in close proximity to each other. And that joy was enhanced by his attendance and work at his beloved little church, Bell Methodist Church in Leicester. He loved working on various projects there and loved being recognized as someone they could rely on to take care of important tasks on the building and grounds.

Clifford was born December 19, 1933, to Clifford Samuel Smathers, Sr. and Belle Zora Franks Smathers of Asheville. With his family being broken up by his mother’s death when he was 11, he lived most of his youth at the Presbyterian Mountain Orphanage in Black Mountain, a home he dearly loved and supported his whole life. He attended Owen High School and earned the honor of serving as President of the Student Body his senior year. Well known for being an outstanding athlete, he lettered in basketball, football, and baseball. He turned down a football scholarship at Wake Forest University to serve in the US Army from 1956-1958. He married Thelma Payne, his high school sweetheart in 1956 and they spent his service years honeymooning in Germany. After completing his service to his country, he and Thelma settled in Asheville (Leicester later) where he tried his land at several jobs ending up with a permanent one that he dearly loved with the Asheville Fire Department. In addition to loving the camaraderie of the firemen, he loved preparing their meals. As the years moved on, Cliff and Thelma became the proud parents of two sons they idolized, Sam and Brian. He was the ideal father, taking time to spend with them especially in their athletic endeavors. As they grew older, he taught them how to fish and hunt and together they enjoyed providing food for the family.

When grandchildren and great grandchildren came along, they simply added to the joys of his life. He loved their visits with them, hearing their little stories and telling them some of his stories. He always kept snacks he knew they would love, and he loved riding them on the tractor, playing games, collecting fruit on the farm or simply sitting in the shade. The grandchildren include Tyler, Josh and Zack Smathers, and the great grandchildren include Jacob and Molly Smathers, Millie Martin and Connor Proveaux.

Clifford Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford S. Smathers, Sr. and Belle Z. Franks Smathers; siblings, Ruby S. Smathers Davis (Bill), Beulah S. Maney (Harold D.), Eulah S. Scott (Ben), Gladys S. Payne (Roby), Margaret S. Hanssen (Paul), Essie S. Nichols (Dean), Charlotte S. McElrath (Lester), Jack E. Smathers (Marie) and Dorothy S. Freeman (Jack).

He is survived by his wife, Thelma; two sons, Clifford Samuel (Sam) Smathers, III (Pam), Brian Smathers (Maureen), grandchildren, Tyler Smathers (Taylor), Josh Smathers (Lindsey) and Zack Smathers; great grandchildren, Jacob and Molly Rose Smathers, Millie Martin and Connor Proveaux; one sister, Elizabeth Johnson (Bob), and many, many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Bell United Methodist Church.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve the Smathers family.