One of the best things about my job at Kingsport Times-News and The GoTriCities Network is the pleasure of working with our regional business culture.
After 21 years, my memories are a vault of people who inspire and entertain me. When Lee Smith pulled me to the side this past week and said, “if you write anything about us, tell them we were praising God, eatin’ ham biscuits and pickin’ and a grinnin’ at Rhoton Smith Furniture Company,” I knew this was a story worth telling.
Weber City is a border city in Virginia no more than two miles north of Kingsport, TN on Highway 26. This business district has a signature strip of lottery/beer and cigarette stores, a Food City and a handful of other retail shops. On of my favorite charismatic clients is Lee Smith with Rhoton and Smith Furniture Company. He’s a business owner, a musician, a preacher, a comic with volumes of character and there will never be another like him.
Lee’s furniture store has been in business for more than 40 years and one of the most successful stores in Weber City. Aaron and Arvella Smith run the store now. They are the son and daughter of the Lee and Dorcas and few people are blessed as much as this big family. When you visit the store, it’s hard NOT to find someone related to one another. If you show up at the right time of the day you’ll see parents, children, grandchildren and great grand children all under one 40,000 square foot showroom. Not to mention plenty of fine furniture. It’s not the cheap kind either, it’s built to last, like their family name.
Lee is the self-appointed, “happiest man in Scott County.” He’s notorious for looking for a smile. In addition to the store, he brags about his family and has sang Gospel music as a testimony for decades now with The Lee Smith Family Singers. He opens the doors to a small log cabin church every Sunday behind the store, takes Wednesdays off, records a weekly radio show and entertains people every where he goes. He’s a blessed man and he knows it, but what intrigues me most about this soul is his love of music.
Last week, Lee was celebrating the grand opening of the new Broyhill Furniture Gallery located inside the store. They were up early, brought in a light breakfast buffet and invited Chamber of Commerce officials and the media to celebrate the opening. Lenoir, NC based Broyhill Furniture is known throughout the region and their upper management were decked in suits for the morning photo opp.
Joe Fuller, president of the Scott County Chamber presented Aaron with a handshake and a gift basket, but it wasn’t long after when Lee came from the back with an acoustic guitar and propped his foot up on a chair and made sure he had everyone’s attention in the showroom because as he phrased it, “I’m gonna sing a song I wrote!” And he did just that, without breaking a line.
If you know Lee, you know he’s as unpredictable as a jester. Before he brought out the guitar, he told everyone he’s thankful for his family and praised his wife Dorcas who is his been his constant companion now for more than 50 years. She’s the rock of the family too – steadfast, straight-forward and straight person to Lee’s joyful spirit. They live together, work together and when you visit the furniture store, you’ll see their family legacy of gospel music recorded on hundreds of records, LPs, cassette tapes and DVDs. I bet they even have an eight-track tape. Looking at the photos on the album covers over the years, you’ll see a family that’s been singing together for more than any other gospel group in the region.
Lee told me he sends video tapes of them singing together all over the world and I can’t help but believe that this families joy and special Southern charm will be looked back upon for generations to come around the world.
I’ve known a lot of musicians and the Tri-Cities region is home to plenty of memorable artists, but at 75 years old, I doubt you’ll find anyone as faithful and destined with a single purpose than Lee Smith.
It’s not that he’s trying to be a star either and that’s maybe the reason I respect him as much as I do. At his age, he could care less about the fame – he has something more important in mind. He plays music to be a blessing to others. Can he sing? Some people would question that, but I don’t. Lee brings to the world a joy in his music and you can’t deny it.
It wasn’t long ago that I went to a funeral in Gate City for Mike Lumley. He worked at Morrell Music and was a local musician who passed on too early. It was no surprise for me to see Lee, Dorcis and one of the many musicians they perform with that morning. They sometimes play up to three funerals a day! Imagine that? But Lee sums it up this way, before he struck the first note, he said, “we’re hear to take the final steps with Brother Mike and his family.” There’s never more sober and serious a moment as those memories and for this one reason, I’ll always have the deepest respect for Lee and his family.
Do yourself a favor. Stop by Rhoton Smith Furniture Company today. You might need some furniture, but even if you don’t buy anything, introduce yourself to this great man. Few people are more delightful to meet. Some might be uncomfortable around his optimism, but that may be just what you need. Ask Lee how he’s doing and I wouldn’t be surprised if he answered, “praising the Lord and keepin’ on going.”
