Donnie Ray Smithson

Mr. Donnie Ray Smithson, age 79, of Chapel Hill, TN, formerly of the Flat Creek Community in Williamson County, TN died on Friday, January 2, 2026 at his residence. He was a native of Franklin, TN and the son of the late Albert Donald Smithson and Ivy Lee Henson Smithson. Donnie Ray was a member of Ash Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was retired as the owner and operator of Smithson Excavating. He was a graduate of Bethesda High School and later went to a business college. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Mrs. Peggy Smithson, in 2023. 

Mr. Donnie Ray loved lake life and vacations to Florida at the beach. He truly enjoyed boating and fishing. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with his friends. Most of all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, spending time with them and supporting them with their activities.

Mr. Smithson is survived by his loving daughter, Nicole (Chris) Bradford of Chapel Hill, TN; 2 grandchildren, Amanda (Kenneth) Hargrove of Franklin, TN, Tyler (Courtney) McPeak of Chapel Hill, TN; 4 great grandchildren, Kylee Hargrove, Oliver McPeak, Owen McPeak, Emery Hargrove; sister and brother-in-law, Vicky & Kenneth Hartley of the Cross Keys Community; nephew: Kevin Hartley; niece, Michelle (Jason) Robertson; cousins, Sandy & Mackie Glenn, Julia Taliaferro..

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 4 PM – 8 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from the Chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in the Giles-Daniels Cemetery in the Bethesda Community of Williamson County, TN.

Kenneth Hartley, Kevin Hartley, Kenneth Hargrove, Chris Bradford, Timmy Glenn, and Tyler McPeak will serve as pallbearers.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Ash Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 4930 Ash Hill Rd., Spring Hill, TN 37174.

LAWRENCE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICES, 203 South Horton Pkwy, Chapel Hill, Tennessee, 931-364-2233 in charge of local arrangements.