Walter Dale "Tom" Smith

Walter Dale “Tom” Smith, age 72, of Richlands, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 in Salem, Virginia following a brief illness. He was the son of the late James William “Willie” and Margie Lee Kinder Smith. Tom was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1963 and then attended the University of South Carolina until he was drafted. He then served his country in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam Veteran and served in the Special Forces as a Green Beret. He was a master electrician for 30 years at Jewell Smokeless. He was a 32degree Mason with the Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM. He was a lifetime resident of the area and was a member of the Lake Park Freewill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and trustee. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one infant child; brothers, James Otis, Arvin Ralph, John Robert, Arthur Lee, Billy Gene, Rufus, and David Harvey Smith; one sister, Faye Martin; and brothers in law, Bob Davis and Ray Compton. Those who survive him are: Loving wife, Lora Jane Fuller Smith of Richlands, VA Daughters: Mary Lee Smith of Richlands, VA Martha Jane Smith Colley of Richlands, VA Sarah Beth Smith of Richlands, VA Special Son in Law whom he loved as his own son: Daniel Lee Smith Sisters, Mary Davis of Claypool Hill, VA and Betty Compton of Norton, VA Grandchildren, Madison Danielle Smith, Paris Kensington Smith, Drayton William Smith, Gavin Walters Colley, Ashlyn Ayers Colley. Funeral services for Walter Dale “Tom” Smith will be Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 2pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Mark Sexton and Rev. Robert Osborne officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Virginia with military graveside services. Life Bearers will be Daniel Smith, John Cochran, Mitch Smith, Sherman Martin, Stephen Smith, Lawrence Hays, Pete Harris, Randy Honaker, Paris Parker, Mike Smith, Bill Messer, Bob Steele, Bill Bumgarner, James William Smith, John Fuller, Master Sgt. Shane Salyers, Zach Salyers, and Jim “Butch” Fuller. Visitation will be 6-9pm Saturday evening at the funeral home. Masonic services will be conducted at 7pm Saturday at the funeral home. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Walter Dale "Tom" Smith

September 6, 1944 - December 14, 2016