Manuel Smith

Manuel Smith was loved into existence by his Heavenly Father on September 25th, 1938. His walk was complete and called home July 11th, 2021. Born to John and Bernice Smith, he was reared in the Rock Springs community. He was preceded in death by a brother, Galen Smith. Manuel leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Rosemary; daughter, Lana Sauceman; son, Chad Smith; brother, Dan Smith and sister, Emilea Copeland. His extended family includes son-in-law, Mike Sauceman; daughter-in-law, Kimberley Smith; and many beloved nieces and nephews. All loved him deeply and are grieving an incalculable loss. Since his passing Sunday night, many have mentioned there should be some sort of record, a book of stories. No doubt that this biography’s pages would be filled with knee-slapping humor and outrageous stories hard to believe. But equally poignant, the lines would leave readers pausing to wipe a tear or to fondly reflect. His quiet, but deep-rooted generosity flowed from a beautiful soul and the inability to be at peace when others were in need. Often when a family lost a member who owned cattle and were at a loss as to their value (or fearing others would take advantage), Manuel Smith always got the call. His earned trust, his ethic and people simply knowing he would do the right thing provided many grieving families peace in their time of need. In his final years, Manuel never lost his desire to make a home or hospital visit, call a dear friend, tell a joke about Doc Smith, or give a child a dollar. Any friend who had ever traveled with Manuel can attest to his gift of rendering a showroom new vehicle to salvage status in record time with astonishing efficiency. His reluctance to consider headlights, taillights, mirrors, seatbelts, and doors as essential parts of a vehicle earned him a healthy rapport and frequent “friendly” interactions with local, county, and state patrolmen. He LOVED his work, a passion for the livestock business, and became quite near a genius at it. He loved Shane, Joe and Steve. He also lost many dear friends before his passing. Known far and wide, “Cattle Wizard” was not an unfamiliar jest when describing Manuel. Whether the Rainbow Crossing, Arab Stockyard or Parkside Restaurant will ever be the same remains to be seen. What is certain, the most beautiful man to ever walk the hills and pastures of Blount and Cullman counties leaves behind a strong, resilient, but devastated family. Forgive us, we didn’t know what we had. Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2021, at the Blountsville Baptist Church with Gary McRae officiating. Burial will be in Rock Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be 12:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Blountsville Baptist Church. Pallbearers: Blake Mooneyham, Joe Garrett, Shane Brown, Doug Hinds, Keith Meade and Steve Madden. Honorary Pallbearers: Bruce Dial and David McAlpine. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/

Manuel Smith

September 25, 1938 - July 11, 2021