Obituary of Franklin Theodore Smith

Franklin Theodore Smith, 82, of Reedsville, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood. He was born in Reedsville, WV on March 11, 1933, a son of the late Frank and the late Hazel (Ball) Smith. He loved the lord and he went to meet him. Franklin was a graduate of Arthurdale High School in 1950. He attended the Ohio School of Trades for mechanic training and also Diesel Mechanic School during his time in the Airforce in Germany. He served in the United States Air Force for seven and a half years. From June 1951 to December 1953 he served during the Korean Conflict. Franklin worked as a heavy equipment operator for 25 years and as a janitor and security guard at the Monongalia General Hospital for 14 years. He enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing, spending time with family, auto racing, spending time with his dogs and attending church at Masontown Church of the Nazarene where he taught Sunday School and worked in the church. Franklin is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lula Griffith Smith of Reedsville; two daughters, Denise Blake and husband Steve of Reedsville and Julie Stewart and husband Bob of Stephens City,VA; two sons, Tim Smith and wife Mary of Grafton and Ed Smith and wife Karen of Newburg, six grandchildren; James and Jeremy Blake, Brittany Williams and Cortney Stewart and Alli and Nick Smith; two brothers, Delbert of Kingwood and Vincent of Taylor, MI and three sisters, Elizabeth of Houghton Lake, MI, Gladys of Glendale, AZ and Polly of Glendale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his one daughter, Jacquline; three brothers, Willis, Richard and Kermit and one sister, Gracie. Friends may call at Field Funeral Home in Masontown on Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, September 28, 2015 at 11:00 am with Rev. Tim Heaney officiating. Interment will follow in the WV National Cemetery in Pruntytown. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Franklin's memory to Hospice Care Crop. PO Box 760, Arthurdale, WV 26520. Condolences may be extended online to the family at www.fieldfuneralhome.com.