OUR STAFF

Jenni F. Bryant, CFSP, CCO, is a native of East Tennessee and is the General Manager of Smith Life & Legacy in Maryville, TN.  A Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer, Jenni is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta.  She is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and is the immediate Past President.  Jenni has previously served on the NFDA Convention Education Task Force Committee, The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards National Board Exam Committee and is a Certified Crematory Operator. She and her husband David have one son, Logan who recently graduated John A. Gupton College of Funeral Service in Nashville.

My name is Tuck. I am a friendly and fluffy Golden Doodle and I have been trained to be a Grief Therapy Dog. I love my job and hope to bring lots of comfort to people in our community. I hope you will stop by the funeral home and see me. Hugs and belly rubs are two of my favorite things!

Mr. Carroll is a Licensed Funeral Director and a Certified Crematory Operator. He handles the daily operations of the Life & Legacy Cremation Center. He also assists client families with funeral and cremation services. Jeff is a member of The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.  He and his wife Donna are members of Grandview Baptist Church where he serves as the Music Director.

Rob joined the Smith Care Team in 2002 and is a Past-President of the Greater Knoxville Funeral Service Association. He is a graduate of Maryville High School and Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta. Rob volunteers for the Blount County United Way. He and his wife Susan are members of Forrest Hill Baptist Church.

Logan is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer who takes pride in helping families.  He graduated from Maryville High School and earned his degree from John A. Gupton College.  When he's not working, Logan enjoys spending time outdoors.  

Owen Gibson grew up in Blount County and graduated from Maryville High School in 2022. He is continuing his education at Milligan University in Johnson City. When not working he spends his time outdoors with his family, friends and fiancé. Owen also enjoys playing Disc Golf. 

Scotti Thompson comes from a family operated restaurant business in Pigeon Forge, where she worked from a child, after the traumatic loss of her younger sister due to a car accident, she switched careers and decided to attend mortuary school, where she graduated from American Academy McAlister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York, she felt this was a career calling and could help others in a time of need that she too had been thru. She enjoys UT football,  saltwater fishing and cooking.

She runs the daily operations of our prep care center. Scotti has one son.

Norman brings a diverse background to his role, with previous experience in sales and management across the marketing, advertising, and financial services industries. Most recently, he worked in the grave monument business, where he developed a deeper connection to serving families during meaningful moments. Norman holds multiple consulting certifications and is actively involved in the Blount Chamber of Commerce, as well as several local charitable organizations.

For Norman, his work at Smith Life & Legacy is more than just a job—it’s a calling and a form of ministry. He and his wife, Jennifer, are lifelong residents of Blount County, a community they’ve always called home.

A Certified Professional Secretary and member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals, Tracy is a graduate of Heritage High School and Pellissippi State Community College. Tracy joined the Smith staff in 1998. She and her husband Brad have a son and daughter and they are members of Law's Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.

Originally from Florida, Brittany joined the Smith family in 2023 as our Family Service Manager. She has her Bachelors' in Psychology, with concentrations in Bereavement and Abnormal Studies. Brittany has been in the industry for ten years and has worked in different locations throughout Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. She and her husband Jimmy enjoy traveling and spending time in the mountains with their two dogs Ko and Goose.

Benjamin Anderson, grew up in Madisonville, TN, where he graduated from Sequoyah High School in 2016.  He has worked in sales ever since. Benjamin and his partner, Ashley, have a daughter and a son on the way. Ben enjoys educating people about what he is passionate about.

Shirley began working with the Smith Care Team as a door greeter in 1997 and continues to work as an assistant with funeral and memorial services.

Steve joined the Smith family in 2024, following his move to Maryville, TN. He brings 40+ years of experience as a pastor in providing care and compassion for those in difficult times. He and his wife, Debbie, are members at First Baptist Church of Friendsville, and Steve enjoys bicycling for recreation.

Jessica Whitaker has been with the Smith Life and Legacy family since early 2025.  She is a Certified Crematory Operator and an Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalmer.  Jessica is married with two children.  She is a child of the Most High God.  Jessica has a love of plants, fishing and hunting.

Zowie holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Currently, she furthering her education to become a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Outside of academics, Zowie's hobbies include reading and watching Horror movies, which she finds to be fascinating genres that offer unique perspectives on life.

Since 2006, Jerry was been assisting with funeral and memorial services. He and his wife Betty also assist guests at Smith Event Centers. They are members of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Dallas Theological Seminary, Oxford Graduate School, and Stellenbosch University, Dr. Gibson enjoys research, writing, and teaching, and is an active member of several professional organizations. Dr. Gibson and his wife, Dr. Angelia Gibson are members of First Baptist Church of Maryville and have three sons and one daughter.

Jason has lived in Maryville all his life, graduating from Maryville High School and the University of Tennessee. He is a past president of the Greater Knoxville Funeral Service Association. Jason coached with Maryville Little League, enjoys golfing and is an avid fisherman. He and his wife Angie have two children.

Mr. Gibson began his funeral service career with Smiths in 1962 after working at Weaver Funeral Home in Knoxville. He attended the University of Tennessee and was a graduate of John A. Gupton Mortuary College in Nashville. Before he retired in 2009, he was involved in numerous civic and professional organizations and he served on the Advisory Board of the National Funeral Directors Association. Don served as Chairman of Smith's Senior Advisory Board from 2009 until his passing in 2023.