Clifford Alan Smith, 66, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after a short battle with cancer.

Clifford, the middle of three children, was born on Dec. 29, 1958, in Selma, Alabama, to the late Marine Bledsoe Smith of Fayetteville and Doris McMillan Smith of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. His birthday was often celebrated as “Cliffmas” by his family.

Mr. Smith was a 1976 graduate of Central High School in Fayetteville. After graduating, Cliff roofed houses with his father developing a life-long career as a self-employed builder. Creating special additions and “fixing” whatever a neighbor needed gave him a lifetime of challenge and enjoyment.

Cliff committed his life to the Lord and was deeply loved by his family, neighbors, and community. He held leadership roles in his church such as Elder, Sunday school teacher, and special church classes. His integrity, humor, and respectful manner was deeply tied to his family, love of land and nature, and his enduring faith.

Survivors include his sisters, Belinda Smith Patrick and Wanda Smith Locker (Rocky); nieces, Reen Locker Baskin (Jamie), Celess Locker Friend (Cory), Maghan Patrick Cowley (Chase), Mollee Patrick Berzett (Jake), and Macey Patrick Hill (Mick); and one nephew, Ryan Locker (Sarah). These were his “kids” as he would often say, and they lovingly called him their Funcle. Cliff is also survived by his great-nieces and great-nephews, Camden, Carter, Cyless Friend, Macklen, Rylan, and Locke Baskin, Maddie, Emma, and Noah Locker, and Grady and Charlee Berzett; also Uncle Charles McMillan Jr. (Betty), Aunt Mae Urban with several cousins, and his stepmother, Dean Smith.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Guy Patrick, and his great-niece, Klare Cowley.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Dwight Smith officiating. Burial followed in Riverview Memorial Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fabulous Fifties Foundation, PO Box 934, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Clifford Alan Smith.