James H. Smith Sr.
“These ole feet have walked thousands of miles; no wonder they’re worn out.” What a journey it has been!
James H. Smith Sr. of Ruff Creek passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018, in his home.
He was born October 3, 1924, a son of Edward S. Smith and Lillie M. Smalley of Richhill Township, Greene County. As a boy, he worked the farm with his eight sisters and spent many hours coon hunting with his dogs, Spike and Red. In winter, he maintained a successful trap line.
Keeping busy at home didn’t detract from his studies. At one point, he had a five-year perfect attendance record. That streak was broken one morning when a skunk greeted him with a special, “Hello.” He stayed home that day.
Mr. Smith graduated as valedictorian of Center Township High School, Class of 1943.
In 1947, he strolled across Greene Street to introduce himself to a young telephone operator who “was as nice as she was pretty. I snatched her up before anyone else could!” On November 13, 1947, he married Leona Gaye Staggers in Winchester, Va. Together, they worked side-by-side, building a good life for 44 years, until her passing in 1991.
Their four children learned the value of honest, hard work, which usually involved tilling the soil, loving a simple life, which included listening to rain on a tin roof, and an abiding devotion to God and country.
Surviving are James Jr. (Elizabeth) of Midway, Ga., Debora (John Inghram) of East Washington and Brenda (Ted) Lindsay of South Park. Joy was tempered by the loss of a son, Roger W. of Little Greene Apples Fruit Farm, in 1987.
His surviving grandchildren called him “Pap,” and they are James Smith III, Heather (Dean) Foxworthy and Rachel (Caleb) Plate of Alaska, Jessica (Rob) Ringeisen of McDonald, Joni (Luke) Watson of Bethel Park, Scott (Taryn) Longstreth of Chambersburg, Nathan Longstreth of Pittsburgh, Baron (Julia) Lindsay of South Park, Laurel Lindsay of Pittsburgh, 2LT U.S. Shelby Lindsay, currently stationed in Colorado, and Hunter Lindsay of South Park.
His 10 great-grandchildren are Tyde and Kenneth Smith, Trenton and Jason Foxworthy, Quai, Xyander, Gideon and Serenity Plate, Abel Watson and Claire Lindsay.
Also surviving are a daughter-in-law, Gwen (Bill) Cross of Rogersville, and a son-in-law, Jerry Longstreth of Washington.
Mr. Smith worked for 35 years for Columbia Gas, retiring in 1986. His positions included welding, operating heavy equipment and in transmission regulator measurement.
He was previously a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Ruff Creek, where he faithfully served as trustee for several years. He more recently attended Whiteley Creek Community Church.
Mr. Smith was also a member of East Franklin Grange.
He bowled on the gas company league, as well as recently the Greene County senior league. He enjoyed the company of friends as much as the game itself. Another deep passion was gardening. His neighbors benefited from his generous heart and bountiful harvests. The tall-poled lima beans became architectural works of wonder as the season progressed. One morning, he happily discovered a master gardener’s sign displayed at the end of the row.
Mr. Smith’s love of family began with his sisters. Surviving are Kate Parson of Waynesburg, Dorothy Grim of Camp Hill, Marilyn Burns of Cranberry Township and Carolyn Adrian of Cary, N.C. Four sisters preceded him in passing: Wilma Crouse, Violet Rush, Ruth Braddock and Virginia Day.
Mr. Smith is to be remembered as a builder – a man who fixes things. Calculating roof rafters, cutting stair jacks, tearing apart and reassembling more motors than John Deere ever built, pruning apple trees in January, putting swishy worms on the end of a fishing line, pouring yards and yards of concrete, harvesting his fields of grain and carefully removing tangled knots from a young girl’s necklaces. He built an unparalleled legacy.
Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 182 West High Street, Waynesburg, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 2, with Pastor Joe Weaver and Pastor James H. Smith Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Rosemont Cemetery, Rogersville.
Memorial contributions may be made to 4-H Livestock Scholarship Fund, 26 West High Street, Room 1, Waynesburg, PA 15370.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the Smith family at www.behmfh.com.