Obituary of Russell Smith

Mr. Russell "Russ" Smith, of Franklin, Tennessee, and formerly, Macon County, passed away Friday, July 12, 2019, at Williamson Medical Center. Funeral Services for Mr. Russ Smith are scheduled to be conducted on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at 2 PM, from the Chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Elder Dwight Dyer Officiating. Interment will follow in the Testament Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will begin at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, from 12 noon until service time at 2 PM.

The family requests Memorial Contributions be made towards the Macon County High School Band.

Mr. Russ Smith is survived by;

Sons,

Jesse Lee Smith and wife, Jessika

Matthew Miles Smith and wife, Katherine

Sister,

Cathy Smith Kemp and husband, Joe

Grandchildren,

Hunter Smtih

Genevieve Smith

Numerous extended family, friends, band mates, and fans also survive.

Almost every night with the Aces, Russell Smith sang, “my soul cries out for rest, and the end is not in sight.”. It’s with heavy hearts that we inform you that on Friday, July 12, 2019, those cries were finally answered and he is now resting peacefully. Russell completed his journey on life’s railway after 70 years of doing things his own way. Russell’s soulful voice and artfully crafted lyrics helped develop the signature Amazing Rhythm Aces sound that defined an era and transcended genre labels. Like their sound, Russell, himself, was a little southern, a little rock’n’roll, pinch of bluegrass gospel, and an endless supply of soul. It won’t surprise his fans or friends and family that his love of music lasted through his final days; with some of his final conversations spent talking about the music he so loved and how certain songs shaped his life. He remarked about how every performance, through his last encore, was filled with the  magic that only live music can provide and how thankful he was for the dedicated love he received from fans from across the globe. 

Russell lived to entertain, to help folks feel a connection with one another, and hoped to leave the world better off for having had him in it. While he undoubtedly fulfilled those hopes in his time here, he would have wanted to cement his legacy with lyrics from one of his all-time favorite songs(“Give me my flowers while I’m living”), which the Aces recorded in 1980. A reminder to tell loved ones how you feel, and to be kind to everyone while you can, because the people who need those kind words and deeds can’t receive them when they’re gone.

In this world is where we need our flowers

A kind word to help us get along

If you can't give me flowers while I'm living

Please don't send them when I'm gone

Won't you give me my flowers while I'm living

Let me enjoy them while I can

Please don't wait till I'm ready to be buried

And then slip some lilies in my hand