Selmar Humphrey

Selmar Glenn Humphrey, our father, our mentor and cheerleader went home to be with our Lord and Jesus Christ August 1, 2026. Born to Joseph and Hope ‘Taylor’ Humphrey, September 14, 1936 in Creston, NC. He spent the majority of his youth with his maternal grandparents, in the ‘holler’ of Humphrey Lane. He is preceded in death by both parents, brother, Billy Joe, and sister, Margaret.

Our father was a military man. He joined the Air Force in 1955. After completing his basic training in San Antonio Texas, he was stationed in Salina, Kansas when he met his soulmate and our beautiful mother Susan Lytle Humphrey. Dad and our mother settled in South Carolina after leaving the military in 1967, and started raising their children and eventually settled in Mountain City, TN back in the ‘Humphrey Holler’. Our dad leaves behind six children. Mark; Jay, wife, Miranda; Melvin, wife, Debbie; Margaret, husband, Ray; Constance husband, Donald. Selmar, Jr., wife Sylvia. His legacy continues with 16 grandchildren (James, Joe, Shane Rebecca, Kyle, Ryan, Austin, Devon, Samara, Avonna, Kayden, Jaylen Humphrey. Josh & Amanda Dowell, Andy & Dustin Selmar Stout) and 14 great grandchildren with a blessing due in February.

He was a man of many talents, most notably, his carpentry, electrician, and plumbing work, although he never did it for a business he did it for our family and family business. He was a businessman who owned and operated S&S grocery and S&S #2 from 1984 to 2001. He was a farmer, raising tobacco and our own garden for many many years. He was an avid sports fan. Traveling far and wide, to watch his own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports, but not just his own children, but also other children that he kept tabs on in the newspaper. He loved sports; playing, watching and coaching as evidenced by the multiple newspaper articles he collected over the years. He played many years in the military playing softball and basketball and then continued to play coed basketball up into his 50s. He was our biggest cheerleader, making us very competitive, yet having good sportsmanship. Encouraging us to lead our way.

He loved music. He and our mother traveled for years to hear bluegrass music at different festivals in several different states. Encouraging all musicians to continue their craft, including our own Kody Norris. Kody lived with our parents for a time and Kody has been noted to say that our parents took him for the first time to Nashville to see the SPBGMA awards. They followed Kody to many festivals helping him to sell his CDs, and just encouraging him to continue his craft. Even when our father became frail, he still wanted to go to Chilhowie every Tuesday night to listen to the Chilhowie jamboree, Saltville on Friday nights, and the Morefield store in Laurel Bloomery on Saturday nights.

In his later days he looked forward to having fish on Friday nights and Mexican on Sundays.

If you met our father you know he never met a stranger, he could strike up a conversation with anyone and find a common interest and have a friend for life. He will be greatly missed by many far and wide.

The family will receive friends from 1-3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026 at Mountain City Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Sam Icenhour to officiate. The graveside service and burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Church Cemetery with Military Honors to be accorded by the Johnson County Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be his children and honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com.

The family of Selmar Humphrey has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.