Little Tom Smotherman, 67 of Sitka, Alaska, died April 6, 2011 at MTMC from cancer. Tom was born in 1943 in Murfreesboro to R.W. and Hazel Brown Smotherman. Tom enjoyed working on the family farm with his brother. After graduating from Central High School in 1961, he spent a season working for a combine crew in the Midwest. He served the United States Coast Guard for 26 years. During his service, he was in charge of several units including a Light Attendance Station in the Virgin Islands, a Buoy Depot in Sheffield, Alabama, and Aids to Navigation Team in Demopolis, Alabama, and was an Aid to Navigation Team D17 in Sitka, Alaska. Tom had over 20 years of sea service including 4 years of Bering Sea patrols, several Rescue Units, Buoy Tenders and River Tenders. Tom retired in 1989 and married his wife, Sharon. Together, they bought a fishing boat and spent the next 17 years commercial and charter fishing in Southeast Alaska. At age 55, Tom discovered his passion for flying and spent 12 years crisscrossing Alaska and the United States with his wife and dog in their Cessna 180. Tom was an active member of the Masons, 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Shriners, Elks, Moose, NRA, USCG CPOA, SCV, Alaska Airmens Association and the EEA Association. Tom is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sharon Groth Smotherman; father, R. W. Smotherman of Blackman; son Skipper and his wife Sharon Smotherman of Murfreesboro, daughter Kelli Smotherman of Murfreesboro, daughter Wendy Smotherman and her husband Mike Lauren of Redwood City, CA. Grandchildren Caleb, Nathan and Elijah Smotherman and Chloe Lauren. He was preceded in death by mother Hazel Brown Smotherman, sister Patricia Smotherman, and brother Joe Smotherman. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon Saturday with services 3:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children Hospital in memory of Mr. Smotherman. Online condolences may be made at www.woodfinchapel.com 615-893-5151. ********************************* Memorials Shriners Children Hospital: http://support.shrinershospitals.org/site/TR/Events/General?pxfid=3260&fr_id=1030&pg=fund (copy and paste this link to your web browser)