Dr. James Norton Smoot Jr., 81
His passion in life was his family, his wife of 60 years and their seven children and eight grandchildren. He joined the Marines at the age of 17 and served his country in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He returned from the war and married his childhood sweetheart. After graduating from dental school at The University of Tennessee in Memphis, he began practice in the Woodbine area of Nashville. Dr. Smoot was a licensed dentist in Nashville from 1952 until 2006. Dr. Smoot was an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University in the TMJ and Facial Pain Center ? Department of Oral Surgery.
Dr. Smoot was preceded in death by parents, James and Hersie Smoot, brother, Walter Clark Smoot, and son, Stephen Walter Smoot.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn McBride Smoot, sister Betsy Smoot Laxson (John) of Morrison, children Susan Shute (Eddie) of Philadelphia, Pa., James Norton Smoot, III of Nashville, Molly Smoot Blair of Brentwood, John Stanley Smoot (Susan) of Nashville, Charles David Smoot of Nashville, and Paul Clayton Smoot of Franklin, grandchildren Jesse Shute of San Francisco, Calif., Stevie Smoot of Bell Buckle, and Marshall Blair (Carmen), Jay Smoot, Annabelle Smoot, Josie Smoot, John Stanley Smoot Jr., and Sophia Smoot, all of Nashville, and many, loving nieces and nephews.
Dr. Smoot donated his body to Vanderbilt School of Medicine. The family wishes to send their gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at the VA Hospital and especially to Mark and Betty at Odyssey Health Care of Nashville.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, Feb. 1, from 12 to 2 p.m. at St Paul Community Church, 5035 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville. A memorial celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. at Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alive Hospice in your area.