Phillip Leon Smothers

Phillip Leon Smothers, age 68, died peacefully in his home in Camden after a brief illness on April 19, 2016. A lifelong resident of Camden, Phillip was loved by family and friends alike. His warm greeting and infectious laugh were well known and appreciated by many people in his community, and he will be sorely missed.A survivor of spinal meningitis from a very young age, Phillip always rose to meet his developmental challenges with grace and a wonderfully positive spirit. His early afflictions did little to dampen his remarkable mind. He loved to occupy himself by looking up scriptures, dictionary words, and phone book listings, playing board games, watching game shows, and of course impressing females by reciting his ABC’s backwards. During brighter days, Phillip loved to make a bit of a ruckus in church with a good belly laugh while clapping his hands to a favorite Baptist hymn.Phillip grew up in a time when many with developmental challenges were shunned and conveniently tucked away in institutions. To his parents’ credit, they always lovingly included him in their lives, and celebrated him without shame or reservation. They created an atmosphere in which he thrived and became a delightful person. As is often said, “God works in mysterious ways.” From the darkness of Phillip’s early illness emerged someone who gave joy, encouragement, and even hope to countless people he knew over his life.Phillip’s needs were tended to during the last 22 years of his life by Cornerstone in Camden, and he was blessed to know many caring angels there. It takes a special heart to work with the developmentally challenged, but for those who possess that unusual gift, there is no work more gratifying. In lieu of flowers, Phillip’s family requests that memorial donations be made to Cornerstone, 198 Cane Street, Camden, TN 38320.Phillip’s passage rejoins him with many loved ones in his family: his parents, Leon and Louise Smothers of Camden, grandparents “Daddy Cole” and “Mama Cole” of Buena Vista, and “Ma and Pa” Smothers of Camden, Aunt Blanche Birdwell of Buena Vista, and many other aunts and uncles who always kept a special place in their hearts for him.Phillip is survived by his younger brother, Roger Smothers and his wife, Kerrie Doyle of Binghamton, NY, his three nephews, Evan Smothers of Davis, CA, and Cole and Noah Smothers of Binghamton, NY. He is also survived by his Aunt Ada Ruth Kelly of Nashville and her family, Uncle Willard and Aunt Alene Cole of Fort Worth, TX and their family, Uncle Troy and Aunt Mary Jo Smothers of Bruceton and their family, Aunt Wanda Smothers of Springfield and her family, and many, many cousins and their families.