Derryl C. Smith

Mr. Derryl Clifford Smith, age 91, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away at his residence on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

He was born on Thursday, May 24, 1934, in Murray County, Georgia, just outside of the Spring Place Community, to the late Mr. Clifford Isaac Smith and Mrs. Effie Mae Underwood Smith.

Derryl spent part of his childhood in Varnell, Georgia, before moving with his family to Dalton, where he settled and lived for the remainder of his life.  He served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany and achieved the rank of E-4 Specialist.  He worked in both Missiles and Artillery and also worked as a cook.  He worked for many years in Dalton's textile industry, retiring from Cabin Crafts.  He and his wife, Tullah, were faithful and devoted members of Maddox Chapel Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Derryl is preceded in death by his sisters: Mary Frances Richmond, Laura Jean Smith, Sara Beth Elsberry, Shirley Ann Kinsey, and Dorothy Faye Booker, all of Dalton, Georgia; his sister, Ann Autry of Griffin, Georgia; and his brother, Glenn Smith of Griffin, Georgia.  Derryl is also preceded in death by his only son, Perry W. Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife, Tullah C. Smith, to whom he was married just shy of 70 years.  He is also survived by his grandsons, Jason D. Smith and Clifford L. Smith; brother, Roy Smith; nieces, Kaye (Wendell) Parker, Anita (Jeff) Pritchard, and Sandee Witherow; and his special family friends, Robert Williams, Stephanie Zilbert, Preston Bivens, and Stanley Mark.

Funeral services to honor and celebrate the life of Mr. Derryl Clifford Smith will be conducted on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Love Funeral Home with Pastor Ronnie Shadwick officiating.  Derryl will be laid to rest in the Welcome Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 P.M. at Love Funeral Home, as well as on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 1:00 P.M. until the service hour.

Condolences and messages of sympathy may be expressed for Mr. Smith's family using Love Funeral Home's online register book.