Linda Sue Thomas Smith, 71, of Ronceverte, slipped away to join the angels in heaven on Monday afternoon, Oct. 28, 2024 at the Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea. Linda was born at home in Farmdale on Dec. 2, 1952, to Russell and Victoria Chappell Thomas. She spent the last six years of her life bravely battling cancer.
Linda grew up attending Smoot Elementary & Junior High, during Junior High school she moved in with her sister Peggy to be closer for school activities and attended Rainelle Junior High, and graduated from Greenbrier West High School. She received her BS degree in Early Childhood Education from Glenville State University and her MA degree from the WVCOGS, now the Marshall University Graduate School.
She was employed by the Greenbrier County Board of Education teaching in the Head Start Program, and teaching at Williamsburg Elementary and Lewisburg Elementary Schools retiring after 40 years as a Kindergarten teacher. She loved her career teaching and especially loved her students. She watched and followed them throughout their school years and on into adulthood. It was not unusual for her to be tackled by a former student along with hugs and kisses.
Linda grew up in the Little Soule United Methodist Church in Farmdale, later joined the First Baptist Church In Rainelle, and for the last 30 plus years attended Trinity United Methodist Church in Ronceverte.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers John Russell Thomas and James Lester Thomas.
She is survived by her devoted husband Aulton David Smith, her sisters Peggy (Carl) Workman of Craig, Phyllis Tyson and Barbara Thomas of Bonney Lake, Washington, sisters-in-law Ann Thomas and Terri (Gary) Johnson, nieces Leann (Roy), Beth (Leslie), Jeanie (Steve), Susan (Clay), and Leigh, nephews James (Loriann), Rusty, Bill (Lorie), Robert Jr. (Heather), Bradley, Sam (Patty), and David (Ashley), several great-nieces and great-nephews Frank, Jarred, Ellie, Robbie, Alden, Evie, Amberly, Gracie, Baker, Stephanie, Christopher, Joe, Daniel, Bruse, Cayleigh, Nataniel, Antony, Sophie, Giana, Avy, Aria Ruby, Josiah, Tripp, and Abel.
Her family was so very important to Linda. She considered her nieces and nephews to be her children.
A service to celebrate Linda’s life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ronceverte, on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Joe Geiger. Visitation will be from 1 until 3 p.m. before the service.
In lieu of flowers Linda’s wishes were for donations to be given in remembrance of her beloved nephews, “The Noel P. and Nathan B. DeHaven Memorial Scholarship Fund” with the Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1682, Lewisburg, WV, 24901, or the Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund, 373 Pocahontas Ave., Ronceverte, WV, 24970, or to the charity closest to your heart.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Ronceverte is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
