H arry Prestley Smith was born on June 2, 1927 in Richardsville, Kentucky to Carter and Harley Smith. He was the 17th child born to his mother and the 20th born to his father.  The family moved to  Evansville, Indiana; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; then to Louisville, Kentucky. Two other siblings joined the family.

After living in Louisville, Harry, along with siblings Carter Jr, Fannie, and Billie, attended St. Vincent's Academy, a Catholic boarding school, in Henderson, Kentucky. At the end of Harry's third grade year, Mr. Smith gave his children the choice to remain living in Louisville or to move to Dyersburg, Tennessee. The children thought Dyersburg sounded like some exotic place a long distance away, so along with the fact the y did not want to remain at the boarding school, they made their choice and were on the road to Tennessee.

The family settled on Tucker Street in Dyersburg but later purchased a farm at Four Points. While living on the farm, Harry joined the Army Air Corp in 1945 where h e served as an airplane mechanic and also as a tail gunner on B-17 and B-29 bombers while stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.  He left the Philippines on May 13, 1947 on a ship heading for home. (This date just happened to be the day his future foster son, Larry (Lonzo) Phillips was born). Harry rode under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay on his 20th birthday, June 2, 1947. After discharge from the military, he worked at various jobs for several years. After 30 years working as an agent for Home Beneficial Life Insurance he retired in the late 80's. Retirement did not slow him down.  He continue d to work daily on various rental properties and projects.

He married Opal Plunk on November 23, 1947. They were blessed with two children. A daughter, Sherry, was born in 1948 and a son, Larry, arrived in 1950. A stillborn daughter, Ruth Diane was born in 1961. Jack Gibson, a foster son, came to live with them in 1967.   Unfortunately, Jack passed away on December 28, 2006. In the late 70's, another foster son, Larry (Lonzo) Phillips joined the family.

Harry led an eventful life filled with many varied community works. He was a founding member of the Dyersburg Dyer County Union Mission and for many years served on its board . H e was a member of the Masonic Lodge. As a member of Fowlkes Methodist Church since 1947 , he serv ed as a Sunday School teacher, Choir Director, and most recently as the Chairman of the church board, member of the Board of Trustees and also on the Pastor Parish Relations committee. He enjoyed Wednesday morning prayer breakfast as a member of the First Methodist Church Men's Prayer group for more than fifty years. He was a member of Modern Woodman of the World, serving as the master of ceremonies for the Woodman Beauty Pageant for more than a decade. Harry coached foster son, Larry Phillips, men's softball team, the Dyersburg Moose Lodge, all the way to a National Championship. H e was an avid traveler over the years but his most memorable trip was his visit to the Holy Land.

Harry is survived by daughter Sherry Hilliard and husband Bob of Broken Arro w, Oklahoma, son Larry Smith and wife Robin of Dyersburg, an d foster son Larry Phillips of Dyersburg; sister Mary Frances (Fanny) Shaw of Evansvill e Indiana; brother-in-law James Plunk of Dy ersburg; beloved niece Brenda Lee of Dyersburg; special friend and caregiver Brenda French of Dyersburg; a special friend Ronnie Doss; and the mother of his children Opal Plunk Smith.

He is also survived by grandchildren Keith Hilliard, Skip Smith, Tracy Smith, Michael Smith, Keith Gibson, Candy Gibson, Samantha Black and Amy Jackson; great grandchildren Zoe Hilliard, Levi Hilliard, India Grace Hilliard, Brandon Smith, Matthew Smith, Meagan Still, Joshua Gable, Brian Brimm, Jr, Matthew Brimm, Katie Brimm, Presley Gibson, Jenna Jackson Norris, Dalton Black and Emily Jackson; great-great-grandchildren Colsen Gable, Aubrey Still, Elizabeth Still, Olivia Smith, Violet Smith, Chase Smith, Shannadowa Smith, Alexis Norris, Jackson Norris and Kevin Cade Hilliard; numerous nieces and nephews; and many great friends.

He was pre ceded in death by daughter Ruth Diane Smith ; foster son Jack Gibson ; and grandchildren Kevin Hilliard and Natalie Brimm

Harry was a wonderful son, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, veteran, mentor, and hero. Those who knew and loved him will forever be inspired by his example. Second to the love of his family, his dedication was to his church, but his greatest love was h is Lord and Savior . On the evening of Saturday, May 25, 2019, surrounded by family and friends, he stepped in the arms of his Father.

Funeral services will be held at Fowlkes Methodist Church on Wednesday May 29 at 3 PM.  Officiating the service will be  Frank Gardner, John Lowrance , and Tyler Neely.  Burial will be in Memorial Gardens. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday evening from 5-8 at Dyersburg Funeral Home.

It was Harry's wish that  memorials be given to St. Jude Children's Hospital in honor of his great granddaughter India Grace Hilliard.