 1947 - 2020 (72 years)
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| Name |
John A. Smailes [1] |
| Birth |
28 Dec 1947 |
Sewell Mountain, Fayette County, WV  [1] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
3 Oct 2020 |
Big Bend, Fayette County, WV [1] |
- Obituary -- John A. Smailes
John A. Smailes, of Big Bend in Fayette County, West Virginia, was suddenly called to his heavenly home on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020.
John was born on December 28, 1947 to the late Elbert and Catherine Shawver Smailes, in the Sewell Mountain community. He graduated from Nuttall High School and attended Marshall University, then began his career working in the railroad industry, and lastly for the Federal Railroad Administration. As required by his career moves, he had been a resident of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and his home state of West Virginia, at various times.
John was a charming, witty, and multi-talented man, who left an impression on all those fortunate to cross paths with him, and he never met a stranger. He was a self-taught guitarist, with a beautiful singing voice, and had an amazing knowledge of oldies music trivia. He was also an accomplished wood worker, specializing in beautiful WVU-themed wooden clocks. He loved sports, especially football, the Mountaineers, Marshall, the Redskins, and the Musselman Applemen. He enjoyed squirrel hunting, trout fishing, gardening and phone conversations.
John was a born-again Christian, and along with their mother, taught his daughters to love the Lord as well. He had last worshipped and served at First Baptist Church in Rainelle, where he was part of the worship music ministry until his health prevented him from attending.
John was predeceased by his parents, an infant brother and his daughter, Amanda Marie Smailes. He is survived by his two daughters, Christi (Kelly) Smith and Pamela (David) Crites, two grandchildren, Isabella and Drake Crites, all of Inwood, West Virginia as well as his wife, Melinda, her children, Justin Rider of Corliss, WV and Ashley (Carl) Bowman of Beaver, WV, and their children Caroline McCune, Walker Bowman, Daely Bowman, Bronx Bowman, Addison Rider and Jaxon Rider. Also surviving are his sister Judy Phillips (Bill) of Ocean View, DE, his brothers Robert (Marilyn) of Tavares FL, Jack (Bonnie) of Chapel Hill, NC, Hobert (Mona) of Vinton, VA, Eddie (Cheryl) of Rainelle, WV, and Tim (Betsy) of Berkeley Springs, WV, and an abundance of nieces and nephews, plus other young folks who affectionately called him Uncle John and Daddy Smailes.
A private celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date.
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| Person ID |
I13695 |
Crane Genealogy |
| Last Modified |
20 Oct 2020 |
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| Sources |
- [S2174] Obituary: SMAILES, John A., (20 Oct 2020), 20 Oct 2020 (Reliability: 2).
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