1954
Retta
2022
Retta Jan Smith
November 22, 1954 — November 8, 2022
Retta Jan Smith, 67, of Niceville, FL passed away peacefully on November 8, 2022 surrounded by her beloved sons and their families. Her untimely passing was after a brief but intense battle with pancreatic cancer.
Retta was born in Madison, WV. After her high school graduation, she joined the United States Air Force where she proudly served for 4 years. During this time, she met and married Pete and continued to travel the world with him until his Air Force retirement in 1989. After Pete’s retirement Retta continued to work in civil service and retired out of Eglin AFB, as the Force Development Flight Chief, in December of 2019.
Retta’s most proud accomplishment was her two sons and two stepsons. She always loved talking about her son Corey and his career in law enforcement. Whenever she could find the time to tell someone he was a K9 handler and about her 4-legged grandsons (Retired K9 Cairo and K9 Heist) she couldn’t resist. Retta also couldn’t help but brag on her equally talented artistic son Seth. She loved nothing more than telling everyone about the beautifully crafted handmade trinkets he would create and lit up talking about his ability to build computers. She loved being able to see the qualities of Pete come to life through the years with her adult sons.
From the moment she became a MiMi she was sure to teach her granddaughters the art of shopping and high-end fashion. There wasn’t a pair of shoes, fancy purse, or brand of makeup she could say no to. She loved nothing more than to spoil them any way she could.
Retta’s love for animals was unmatched. She always had a dog or two by her side and in her final days it was no different. She leaves behind her two beautiful fur babies Gracie and Denver Blue.
She was preceded in death by her true love and husband of 30 years, Peter Nathan Smith as well as her parents Eugene and Susan Miller.
She is survived by her son Corey N. Smith (Lindsay Smith) and their three daughters Kylie Renee Smith, Cali Rayne Smith, Kimber Grace Smith, her son Seth E. Smith (Jennie Libby) and her two stepsons Zachary Smith and Joshua Charles. In addition to her sons, she is survived by her brother Eddie (Regina) Miller and her sister Renee (Phil) Abbott.
The family would like to extend our gratitude to VITAS in Niceville. Cassie, Lori, Char, Gina, Val and David our family will never be able to adequately express our sincere appreciation for your care of Retta during her time with you.
Contributions can be made to Spike K9 Foundation, 5760 Northampton Blvd #118, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, November 13 at Handley Funereal Home in Danville, WV. Burial will follow in Family Gardens, on Low Gap Road, Madison, WV.
Visitation will be form 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Retta was born in Madison, WV. After her high school graduation, she joined the United States Air Force where she proudly served for 4 years. During this time, she met and married Pete and continued to travel the world with him until his Air Force retirement in 1989. After Pete’s retirement Retta continued to work in civil service and retired out of Eglin AFB, as the Force Development Flight Chief, in December of 2019.
Retta’s most proud accomplishment was her two sons and two stepsons. She always loved talking about her son Corey and his career in law enforcement. Whenever she could find the time to tell someone he was a K9 handler and about her 4-legged grandsons (Retired K9 Cairo and K9 Heist) she couldn’t resist. Retta also couldn’t help but brag on her equally talented artistic son Seth. She loved nothing more than telling everyone about the beautifully crafted handmade trinkets he would create and lit up talking about his ability to build computers. She loved being able to see the qualities of Pete come to life through the years with her adult sons.
From the moment she became a MiMi she was sure to teach her granddaughters the art of shopping and high-end fashion. There wasn’t a pair of shoes, fancy purse, or brand of makeup she could say no to. She loved nothing more than to spoil them any way she could.
Retta’s love for animals was unmatched. She always had a dog or two by her side and in her final days it was no different. She leaves behind her two beautiful fur babies Gracie and Denver Blue.
She was preceded in death by her true love and husband of 30 years, Peter Nathan Smith as well as her parents Eugene and Susan Miller.
She is survived by her son Corey N. Smith (Lindsay Smith) and their three daughters Kylie Renee Smith, Cali Rayne Smith, Kimber Grace Smith, her son Seth E. Smith (Jennie Libby) and her two stepsons Zachary Smith and Joshua Charles. In addition to her sons, she is survived by her brother Eddie (Regina) Miller and her sister Renee (Phil) Abbott.
The family would like to extend our gratitude to VITAS in Niceville. Cassie, Lori, Char, Gina, Val and David our family will never be able to adequately express our sincere appreciation for your care of Retta during her time with you.
Contributions can be made to Spike K9 Foundation, 5760 Northampton Blvd #118, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, November 13 at Handley Funereal Home in Danville, WV. Burial will follow in Family Gardens, on Low Gap Road, Madison, WV.
Visitation will be form 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Retta Jan Smith, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
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Sunday, November 13, 2022
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
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