Boyd Smith

Boyd Lawrence Smith, born April 6, 1937, the youngest of eleven children of Oakey Laban and Gertie Jane Allen Smith at Jenningston, Tucker Co., WV, passed away June 10, 2022, at McClay Senior Care in St. Peters, Missouri.

At age one, his family moved to a farm known as Scotts Siding, on the Dry Fork River.  He attended Johnson, a one room school, through eighth grade.  He graduated from Harman School with the class of 1955.  He was a member of FFA and played on the basketball team.  Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force.  Basic training was at Sampson Air Force Base in New York.  Upon completion he was stationed at Walker Air Force Base, in Roswell, New Mexico.  Then onto Nouasseur, Morocco in North Africa, where he served with French and Arab airmen.  He returned to West Virginia when his first enlistment was completed.  On the trip home, he met Susanne Thompson.  They were married on August 12, 1961, in Oakland, MD, by Rev. Sherwood at the United Methodist Church.  He reenlisted and served a total of twenty-six and a half years in NC, FL, IN, AK, Labrandor Canada, England, Thailand, NM and Morocco. Upon retiring, he returned to WV and worked four years as a parts person for JF Allen until his youngest daughter graduated high school in Elkins, WV.

Surviving are his wife Susanne; son Boyd Laban Smith and wife Yvette; daughters: Danielle Lynn Tippin and life partner Patrick Tippin; Donna Sue Pfelging and husband Robert; eight grandchildren; Ashley Nichole Sturm and husband Ryan, Amber Danielle Welsh and husband Cory, Adam Lawrence Smith, Shaina Danielle Buford, Harrison Charles, Samantha Leigh, Nathaniel Robert and Benjamin Michael Pfleging;  sister Geraldine Wilking, brother-in-law, Dr. Reginald Cooper; sister-in-law, Debbie Lynn Snelson and husband  Bob and their sons Bobby Duane and wife Jessica and Joshua Earl and wife MaRanda; four great-grandchildren, Coberly Nicole, Joanna Harper, Briggs Daniel Sturm and Ezra Douglas Welsh along with several nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great nieces, all of whom he was very fond of.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, "Maggie" Spencer and husband Virgil, Nettie Cassidy and husband "Buck", Nannie Miller and husband Forrest, Myrtle Pratt, Bailey and husband Bill, Louvene Burns and husband Orville, Jacqueline Cooper; Brothers, William Olem, Lincoln Dale and wife Betty, Oakey Abraham Smith; brother-in-law, Donald Ray "Duck" Thompson.

He loved the Mountains and the great outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, trout fishing, deep sea fishing, watching the animals and birds; the changing of the seasons and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. He served on the chapel committee at Grissom Air Force Base, IN, and was involved at Valley Bend United Methodist Church in WV.

Boyd received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal with LOLC, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Mr. Smith will be laid to rest in the Smith Cemetery off of Snyder Road, Dryfork, WV. A celebration of life will be held 10:00 am, July 9, 2022, at the Smith Cemetery.  The family wishes to thank Dr. James Gainer, Dr. Jenny Cross, Dr. Jeffrey Jackson and their staff, and the staff at Elkins Physical Therapy.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to your choice of a charity.