Morgan Lee Smith

Morgan Lee Smith, age 84, was born in Winchester, Tennessee on Feb. 18, 1938, to his late parents, Dr. Alfred Parker Smith and Sarah McDowel Smith. Morgan left us for his spot in Heaven on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. There is no doubt to anybody who knew Morgan that his last great trip would be the ascension to Heaven. He was one of the kindest, sweetest and selfless people who ever walked this Earth. “Molly” was his childhood nickname given to him by his older brother, Parker who could not pronounce his name. Morgan was raised in Winchester alongside his older brothers, Frank and Parker. He attended high school at Baxter Seminary in Cookville, Tennessee where he lived on campus, played football and hitchhiked to and from home. His sweet smile earned the affection of the cafeteria staff who always made sure he got special meals. After high school, Morgan attended a trade school in Chicago, Illinois to learn skills for electrical and appliance repair. Morgan was gifted with mechanical aptitude and could make or fix just about anything. Morgan joined the Army Reserve after trade school and enjoyed summer camps in Colorado. In 1962, Morgan joined his brother, Parker to form Pioneer Equipment Company to sell and distribute Pioneer chainsaws. During a business trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, Morgan met the love of his life and married Mary Ann Moltenberry in October of 1963. Together they raised three children, Jeffrey (Beth) Smith, Jennifer (Scott) Butler and Stephen Smith. During the early years at Pioneer Equipment, the brothers enjoyed so many outdoor activities, it’s unclear how they had time to run a business. They were involved in hydroplane boat racing, jeep riding, motorcycle riding, camping, fishing and countless cookouts. Wednesday night cookouts became a ritual that multiple people in the county attended and looked forward to. It was a tradition that lasted decades and is still talked about to this day. On one of the Wednesday night outings, Morgan was piloting a boat on Tims Ford Lake when his vessel mysteriously ran aground, earning him a new nickname, “Captain Molly.” Morgan enjoyed his family and cherished the time he spent with them. He and Mary Ann took many trips and enjoyed visiting their daughter in Alaska and later, Idaho. He attended church all his life at Riva Lake Baptist Church where he served in various positions. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested to make donations to Christians Celebrating God’s Bounty, 855 Dinah Shore Blvd., Winchester, TN 37398. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 10:00am – 12:00pm with funeral service following at 12:00pm from the chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 3:00pm at Mt. Garner Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home 300 First Ave, NW Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.