‘We will keep flying, Fred’: Mourners honor FedEx founder
Richard Smith, (left), along with his mother Diane Smith, speaks during his father Fred Smith’s Celebration of Life ceremony on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 at FedExForum. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Pastor Tim Bowers, tears streaming down his face, stood in front of hundreds of people gathered at FedEx Forum on Monday, Aug. 11, for the celebration of Frederick W. Smith’s life, and spoke of Smith’s legacy in Memphis and across the world.
“Thank you for sharing him with the world,” said Bowers, a True Fellowship Ministries pastor who officiated most of Smith’s children’s marriages. “Let us honor him with our best.”
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Sophia Surrett
Sophia Surrett is a University of Alabama graduate, where she received her B.A. in news media and M.A. in journalism and media studies. She covers small business, nonprofits, restaurant real estate, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
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