Morris A. Smith, 88, of Akron, went home to be with the Lord on May 31, 2013. He was born April 8, 1925 in Imperial, West Virginia to the late Roy and Hattie Smith. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and retired from Lockheed Martin after 33 years. He was a member of Akron Praise Temple and a longtime Sunday School teacher and Bible Study Leader. Morris loved singing and served as a song leader at Brimfield Community Church for 30 years. He founded the Southern gospel group Beulahland. In addition to his parents, Morris was preceded in death by nine brothers and three sisters. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Bessie “Betty” Smith; children, Carla (Bob) Walkerow, Nicholas Smith, Roy “Lonnie” (Tina) Smith, Joyce (Gary) Williams, Bobby Smith, Mark (Dawn) Smith, Sonya (Joseph) Berenyi, and Morris (Amanda) Smith, Jr.; 21 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves many brothers and sisters-in-law who were very special to him. Family and friends may call on Thursday, June 6 from 5-8 p.m. at Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home, 95 S. Kanawha St., Buckhannon, WV where funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Matthew Stull officiating, followed by burial at Indian Camp Cemetery. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the graveside. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
