Thomas Milo Smith's Obituary
Minister Thomas Milo Smith, of Chattanooga, departed this earthly life on Tuesday morning, September 10, 2024 in a local hospital. He was born on April 17, 1952 to Newell Smith and Margaret Hickman Smith. He was educated in the Hamilton County School System and a graduate of Sale Creek High School Class of 1970. Milo was an avid sports fan and excelled in basketball at Sale Creek High. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Bryan College, Dayton, TN in May 1974. He also played basketball at Bryan College. In 2001, he received a diploma in theology and certificate in Christian Training from American Baptist Theological College. In 2014, he obtained a certificate in Pastoral Ministries. After college graduation, he was employed with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court System. Milo was a probation officer for Hamilton County Juvenile Court. He later owned and operated Alternative Probation. His last employment was a crisis specialist with Joe Johnson /Volunteer Behavioral Healthcare System. As a young boy, he united with Mt. Annie Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C. R. Grady. After moving to Chattanooga, he united with Greater Second M.B. Church. Milo answered his call to the ministry and preached his first sermon at Greater Second on April 30, 1995. He later joined Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and was ordained by Pastor Ternae Jordan, Sr. After marrying Althea Word, he moved his membership to Union Hill M.B. Church where she and her families were members. He was a faithful and devoted member and served as Assistant Minister. Minister Smith served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent and Teen Church teacher. He initiated the Real Men’s Ministry. He enjoyed fishing and cooking. His favorite pastime was studying the Bible. He was often called upon to minister to teens and families. Rev. Milo or Minister Milo as he was often called was a faithful and committed Christian. He loved the Lord and loved to share the Word of God with everyone. Milo had his quietness and times of privacy; he was still letting God lead him. Milo was preceded in death by his father, Newell Smith; his mother, Margaret H. Smith (four days after he passed); grandparents, James Milo (Prudence) A. Hickman and Thomas O. (Flora) Smith; niece, Andrea Swafford; brothers-in-law, James Swafford, Randy Word; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Word, Survivors include his loving wife of nine years, Althea Word Smith; stepson, Marshon Massengill; brother, Gralin Smith, all of Chattanooga; sisters, Linda Swafford of Soddy Daisy, TN, Margaret A. Smith, Darlene Davenport, both of Chattanooga, and Yolanda Davis of Soddy Daisy; mother-in-law, Marie Word; brothers-in-law, Joseph Word, Jr. and Charles Word; sisters-in-law, Patricia Word, Barbara (John) Brown, Linda Faye (Gary) Tooks, Iris Walker, and Lawanda Gail (Walter) Russell, all of Chattanooga, Gloria (Arthur) Carlisle of Stockbridge, GA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Thomas will lie-in-state on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tyrus Chislom officiating and Minister Mark I. Hickman as the eulogist. Burial in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.
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