Mark Sterling Smith

In Memory of Mark Sterling Smith

Date of Birth 4/17/1949

Date of Rebirth 12/25/2022

Mark lived his life and left this life on his own terms. Born into a Military family to Sam Henry Smith and Mary Francis Hiatt Smith. He was brother to Sherry Lynn Hogue (Ron), Holly Vatter, and David Smith. He is survived by his mother Mary Francis Smith. Mark is survived by his son and daughter in-law Zebediah Baswell and his wife Sandra and their daughter Mark’s beloved Kate. He is survived by eight nieces and nephews.

Mark was eccentric and eclectic, and it is difficult to explain just how intellectual, artistic, and inventive he was. He was a machinist, an artisan, a self-taught botanist. Mark was a great thinker and a great talker. Mark knew the weather, the seasons, what grew, what inhabited the woods and he nurtured and cared for it all. His soft spot was his loyal dog companions; Minnie, Stumpie and Bella. They are in their cemetery.

Mark lost his soul mate Phyllis Dewall Smith on July 20, 2022. She loved her mountain home and the life they lived. He was never the same. We are so incredibly thankful that Mark was with his Texas family for our mother’s 95th birthday. We are holding tightly onto the memories made during that visit. But we are equally blessed that Mark’s Tennessee family Zeb, Sandra, and Kate; his neighbors and many friends have loved and cared for him so loyally over the years.

When we came to see Mark and Phyllis. Wound around the switchbacks, came down into the valley, over the bridge and up the road; around the curve we could see the magical world that Mark poured his heart and soul into. It is like being transported from a superficial, material world into one were the beauty of nature and life abound. A refuge. We were often reluctant to leave that idyllic place to return to the “real world”.

Mark had briefly explained to my husband Ron in October that he would never leave that magical place. That if he could no longer live there; he would lie on the ground, clasp the dirt in his hands and look up at the stars through the trees and fade into the ground. Mark succumbed to nature, he surrendered to the higher power that he knew created the universe. Mark returned to that one place on earth that he could not and would not leave.

And although we are in pain and have suffered a tremendous loss of a son, brother, father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor. We are also joyful that he was a source of peace in our lives and that we could be in that magical place and with that gentle spirit for a time. As Mark would always end his phone calls; “I love you Dear”.

Mark supported Habit for Humanity, Genesis House and Alive Hospice in Nashville.  Your memorial in Mark's honor can be made to one of the listed charities.

Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  931-268-1550