Leatrel R. Smith

“Lee” was born in Nyota, Alabama on March 19, 1927 to the late Ferrell Walter and Elda Costlow Rylant. Hers was a coal-mining family, and a happy childhood was spent in coal camps such as East Gulf and Lillybrook in West Virginia.

Lee lived an adventurous life. She served for three years in the Women’s Army Corps from 1951-1953, recruiting other young women to serve their country.

With GI benefits, she put herself through the Camden Clark School of Nursing, and as a registered nurse she worked in Beckley hospitals and for Dr. John Daniel, then ultimately traveled far and wide in her career. She treated such diverse patients as bedouins in Saudi Arabia, native Eskimo in Alaska, and migrant workers in the sugar cane fields of Florida.

In addition, she raised her daughter, Cynthia, with loving care in Beaver, West Virginia in the 1960’s.

In retirement, Lee returned to Cool Ridge, the heart of her family home, and she spent many years rescuing dogs and cats and reading good books.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Rylant Howard, and grandson, Nathaniel Howard, both of Portland, Oregon.

In addition she is survived by her brother Joe Rylant and his wife, Bettie, in Ghent, and by her sister Sue Stone of Lexington, S.C. and sister-in-law Linda Rylant of Cool Ridge.

Lee was preceded in death by her mother, Elda, who for many years taught Sunday School at the Cool Ridge Missionary Baptist Church (founded by Lee’s Uncle Claude who was a radio preacher) and by her father, Ferrell, a coal miner for several decades who began working in the mines at the age of 9. Also passing before her were brothers Harry Dean Rylant of Cool Ridge and Walter Rylant of Albuquerque, N.M. and her sister Doris “Dot” Minard of Hilton Head, S.C.

Lee’s family wishes to express their warmest gratitude to those who so lovingly cared for Lee in her last years and days, especially the staff at The Villages at Greystone, the staff at the Bayberry Retirement Inn, and the nursing staff at the Bowers Hospice House.

There will be a private family gathering for Lee, but anyone may honor her devotion to animals with a donation to the Raleigh County Humane Society.

Online condolences may be viewed and shared with the family at www.blueridgefuneralhome.com.

Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley has the honor of serving the Smith family.