Gaither Odel Smitherman, 34 years old, Chrysler plant employee ended his life by shooting himself with a 16-gauge shotgun today at his home, 1426 South Seventeenth street.

Smitherman, who resides in an upstairts apartment, placed the gun in is mouth and pulled the trigger about 11:30 o'clock this morning, police reported.  A sister-in-law, Mrs. Dallas Smitherman, who was downstairs, heard the report and found the body.  No one else was in the apartment at the time.

Police Captain Floyd Breckinridge and Officers Albert Matthews and William Smith conducted a preliminary investigation prior to the arrival of Coroner Ralph Niblock.  They said Smitherman had been despondent, apparently because of domestic trouble.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Eva Smitherman; one son, Gene Smitherman; his parents, Mr and Mrs. Carl Smitherman of East Bend, N.C. ; and five brothers and six sisters.

The body was removed to the Stanley mortuary but funeral arrangements have not been completed.