Harold Ray Smith

Harold Ray Smith, 81, of Ranger, WV passed away Thursday June 23, 2016 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, WV. He was born May 24, 1935 at Ranger, WV where he spent most of his life. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Laurence Smith, mother Mildred Adkins Smith Midkiff, sister Bonnie Wentz, brothers Dale Smith and Winston Smith, and sister-in-law Ada Smith.

He is survived by his faithful and loving wife Callie Louesa Napier Smith, daughter Sherri Elaine Webber (Mark), sons Hal Mark Smith (Kim) and Stuart Clinton Smith (Debbie), grandchildren Sara Phillips (Claiborn), Jessica Bierne (Billy), Kristen Prichard, William Smith, Kyle Smith, Christopher Webber, and Joshua Webber, and great grandchildren, Ethan Bierne and Luna Barriteau. Also surviving are brother Delano Smith and sisters Sharon Lovejoy (Roy) and Donna Martin (Fred).

He was a member of the Ranger Church of Christ; he loved to read his Bible and pray for his family. When he left this life, he joined family members in paradise to dwell there in peace. His passing breaks the hearts of those who knew him, but his life filled those same hearts with joy and love. He was a man who caused no harm to others, but, rather, enriched the lives of those around him.

He attended Ranger Elementary, Guyan Valley High School, and Marshall University (BA & MA+30 in Business Education & Educational Administration). He served three years in the Army. He taught and served in administration capacities at Harts High, Guyan Valley High, and Duval High. He served as Treasurer, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Lincoln County Schools.

Hal was always on the go and loved to learn new things. Over the years, he became proficient in farming, carpentry, beekeeping, music, writing, and genealogy research; he loved to serve his community and spend time with his family. He was an interesting person and was interested in everything- from making molasses to building boats. He served on various community and county committees, boards, and volunteer groups. He helped establish the annual Ranger Homecoming event. He was the driving force in acquiring public water for the Ranger area. He also ran for public office-House of Delegates. He was a member of the Hamlin Masonic Lodge No. 79. He received the Governor’s History Award. He also was a member of the Harts High Hall of Fame. He was an avid family and community historian. He has been a prolific reader and writer throughout the years. He contributed several articles to the book, The History of Lincoln County. He wrote and published a quarterly community newsletter, The Ranger Ripples, for 20 years. He wrote a book on county civil war history, Civil War Veterans of Lincoln County. He collected and recorded information about local cemeteries and was instrumental in recording and preserving the history of his community and county. He enjoyed reading and writing poetry.

Services will be conducted at 2:00PM Sunday June 26, 2016 at McGhee-Handley Funeral Home, West Hamlin, WV with Church of Christ ministers Daniel “Boone” Lambert and Page Freeman officiating. Friends may call from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will take place immediately after in the Smith Cemetery, Ranger, WV.

Military graveside services will be conducted by American Legion Post 111, Hamlin, WV.