John B. Smith of Newton WV went home to be with the Lord he loved and served on Thursday, February 21, following a short illness. He was 87. John was surrounded by many members of his family at the time of his passing.
John was born in Newton, November 10, 1925, the eldest son of Albert and Maggie (Tawney) Smith. He spent most of his youth in Newton, although the family did live in Spencer for a few years, while Albert served as county jailor. The family returned to Newton in 1939 and built the family home where John and his wife Ronda lived until the time of his death.
John left home at age 16, taking on a job in the Newport News, Virginia ship yards. In October 1943, with the U.S. involved in World War II, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois, he was enrolled in the electrical training program at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
In August 1944, he was shipped to Gamadodo, New Guinea, where he was assigned to the crew of LCT-1321, a landing craft tank that served the Pacific Theater. John spent nearly two years in the Pacific as an Electricians Mate before closing out his Naval career at the Mine Warfare Test Station in Solomons, Maryland. Throughout his life, John was grateful to have had the opportunity of serving his nation even during one of the most perilous times in America's history. He proudly wore a variety of U.S. Navy, Amphibious Forces and WWII caps wherever he went.
After returning home, John enrolled in welding school in Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout his life, he was able to use this skill in a variety of jobs. While working in Charleston, John began to date Ronda Ellis, also of Newton, whose father Lee had once served as John's grade school teacher. The couple quickly fell in love and was married on November 25, 1954.
John liked to joke that his father in law had whipped him while serving as John's teacher. John would say, "So I married his oldest daughter to get even with him."
John and Ronda moved to Akron, Ohio, in 1955, where John found a good welding job and Ronda held a position with the Goodyear Rubber Plant. In February 1957, their first child, John Mark, was born. While living in Akron, Ronda invited John to begin attending the Akron Baptist Temple with her. After several visits there, John gave his heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ and his life was forever changed.
Not long after his conversion, the family moved to Pontiac, Michigan, where John enrolled at Midwestern Baptist College, under the tutelage of Dr. Tom Malone. In August 1961, the couple had their second child, Beth Ann. Following John's graduation at Midwestern, the family returned to Charleston where John started Faith Baptist Church. After several years of pastoral service there, the family returned to Pontiac, Michigan, where John again worked as a welder and the family became involved with Emmanuel Baptist Church.
In 1969, John accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he served for three years.
He later started Keystone Baptist Church in Washington, Pennsylvania, with a handful of families who had a desire to create a Christ-honoring church. John served that church until his retirement in 1996. He received the title of Pastor Emeritus of Keystone Baptist Church at that time. While in Pennsylvania, Ronda worked as a special reading instructor in the Canonsburg Public School system and later as a fifth grade teacher at Library Christian School in Library, Pennsylvania.
It was through the influence of John and the Keystone Baptist Church congregation that two churches were initiated in the nation of Argentina. Fundamental Baptist Church, which recently celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, is pastored by Al Mular, a dear friend of John's and the Smith family. In addition, Neuquen Baptist Church in Neuquen, is pastored by Al's son in law, Gustavo Lopez. These churches are a testament to John's legacy of church planting and influencing communities with the Gospel.
Upon retirement, John and Ronda returned to their hometown, taking up residence in the Smith family home place. They spent many months totally refurbishing the home, which is today a beautiful centerpiece of the Newton community. John loved the people of Newton and Roane County. His son Mark once noted that whenever they were out, his dad would inevitably introduce him to someone as "a cousin." Mark said, "I think my Dad believed himself to be related to most of Newton and about half of Roane County." John and Ronda loved to visit with their friends and loved ones, always honoring their Savior in every way. John had a true heart for people and was beloved by many. During their time in Newton, they have attended Cornerstone Baptist Church. Pastor and Mrs. Roy Huffman of Cornerstone are counted as steadfast friends of the Smith family.
John was preceded in death by his mother and father and by three siblings: Mary Louise (Yolk), Robert Lincoln, and Carolynn Sue (McLaughlin).
He is survived by one sister: Jo Ann (Atkinson) of Spencer and Brandon, Florida. John is also survived by Ronda, his sweet wife of fifty-eight years, as well as his two children, Mark (Lynchburg, Virginia) and Beth (Boulder, Colorado). He was known as Uncle Johnny to his many nieces and nephews. He was privileged to perform the wedding ceremonies for a variety of his relatives and to lead many of them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. At the end of John's life, it can be said that he honored God and was a wonderful example of Christian service to all who knew him.
On a final note, the family has chosen to bury John with a few mementos that defined him as a man. He will be buried with: one of his Bibles, a photo of himself with his wife Ronda, and one of his WWII caps. Finally, John will also be buried with a paper towel in his front trousers pocket. In life, John, who loved to work with his hands, could invariably be found with a dirty paper towel in his pocket, signifying a good day's work he had accomplished.
Funeral services will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Newton at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday, February 24. A family visitation will be at the church on Saturday evening between the hours of 6:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m.
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