Oliver Michael Smith

Oliver “Bowdie” Smith, 61 of Clothier, WV, made his journey home with his loving Savior on September 24, 2014 after a long illness.

He was a retired coal miner from Hobet Mining with 35 years in the coal industry.

Bowdie was an elder and a long term member of Ball Chapel Church where he served the Lord with all his heart. He taught Sunday school and bible study for years but was known by all that attended as the one that waved his hankie, twirled at times and shouted for the Lord. Some called him the official “cheerleader” for the Lord at Ball Chapel. He was a man with integrity who always gave his Lord praises even in his darkest hours.

He served in the U.S. Army and was a 1972 graduate of Sharples High School.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents by whom he was raised, Oliver and Helen Smith of Blair, his father, Ezra Lane Jr. of Madison, WV, one brother, Danny Johnson and his parents-in-laws, Edward and Irene Light of Sharples.

Those left to cherish his wonderful memory are his wife of 38 years, Judy Light Smith of Clothier, WV, his two sons, Oliver “Mike” Smith and his wife Amanda of Clothier and Jacob Smith and his wife Amy of Chapmanville, his mother, Pauline Lane, of Madison, brother, Robert (Debbie) Johnson, of Six Mile, and sister, Sherry (Freddie) Whitt of Foster. He leaves four precious grandchildren whom he loved and cherished, Caleb, Amelia, Trey and Chase Smith. He also leaves aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and a great number of the Light family that loved him dearly, and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at Handley Funeral Home on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 11:00am with the Reverend Joe Lane, the Reverend Larry Light and the Reverend Edsel Aleshire officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens at Low Gap. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2014 at Handley Funeral Home in Madison.