Garrel Keith Smith
August 21, 1947 - May 14, 2020
Garrel Keith Smith, 72, of Beckley, WV, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the Harper Mills Nursing Facility in Beckley, WV. Born on August 21, 1947, in Fayetteville, WV, he was the son of the late Walter E. Smith and Lizzie M. Wheeler Smith. He married Deborah Cummings on June 26, 1969, in Fayetteville WV. He graduated from Fayetteville High School on June 2, 1965. He worked as an X-ray Technician for the United States Air Force and served with distinction for twenty years. During this time, Garrel was stationed at several military bases throughout the United States, and Turkey. Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1989, Garrel continued his career as an X-ray Technician for several private companies, most recently as part of the medical staff at Mt. Olive Federal Correctional Complex, where he worked until his retirement in 2015. Among Garrel’s favorite things to do were to watch movies, talk sports, and discuss politics. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Garrel was preceded in death by his loving wife of 43 years, Deborah Cummings Smith; brothers Dietz Smith and Edgar Smith; sisters Ethelda Smith Sink and Anna Smith Onto. He is survived his by two sons, Ian K. Smith and spouse Lauren Hancher, of Pittsburgh, PA, and Jacob R. Smith and spouse Lynze Williams Smith, of Beckley, WV; sisters Zelda Smith Johnson, Donzella Smith Atha, Clara Smith White; brothers Wilbur (Wil) Smith and spouse Sarah Xie, Paul Smith and spouse Bobbie Martin Smith, and three grandchildren – Aidan, Caleb, and Trenton, and numerous nieces and nephews residing throughout the United States, all of whom will deeply miss him and always cherish his memory. A memorial service will be held at a later date with close friends and family. For those who wish to express their sympathies, the family asks in lieu of flowers to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in Garrel’s memory by visiting https://alzfdn.org Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV
Garrel Keith Smith, 72, of Beckley, WV, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the Harper Mills Nursing Facility in Beckley, WV. Born on August 21, 1947, in Fayetteville, WV, he was the son of the late Walter E. Smith and Lizzie M. Wheeler... View Obituary & Service Information