John was born at Boomer, WV on May 11, 1941, to the late John Nathaniel and Claudine Arthelia Carter Smith. He was a retired Area Supervisor for AEP with 36 years of service. He was a member of Levi First Missionary Baptist Church where he served as the President of the Trustee Board and played the bass guitar. He was a proud Army Veteran.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Veronica Smith and a brother, Sterling Smith.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 62 years, Barbara Smith; sons, Bryan Smith of St. Albans and Wesley Smith of North Charleston; sisters, Ann Jones of Camden, SC and Alma (Thomas) Taylor of Clear Water, FL; brother, Rev. Dr. Larry (Lavenia) Smith of Dunbar; grandchildren, Pearl A. and Olivia A. Smith and Ian Gardner; great granddaughters, Zahleeah Smith and Kai Lee Gardner.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday August 17, 2026, at Levi First Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. James Jackson officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow at 2:00 PM at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar.
A visitation with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be sent to Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
The online guest book can be accessed at www.stevensandgrass.com.
Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden is in charge of arrangements.
