Richlands Athletic League, Inc.: News Update

Lester Lee “Ground Hog” Smith, age 72 of Claypool Hill, VA died Saturday, December 12, 2009 at his home. Born May 16, 1937 at Jewel Ridge, VA he was a son of the late Ed and Edgar Short Smith. He was a graduate of Richlands High School and was a forty-three year member of the Richlands Little League Baseball program. Mr. Smith was a disabled coal miner, having worked for many years at Island Creek. He enjoyed fishing at Cripple Creek. He was the Holiness Faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Smith.

Survivors include one daughter, Kristi Jessee and husband, John of Trinity, NC; two sons, Randal Lee Smith and wife, Cathy of Honaker, VA, and Lester Keith Smith of the home; two sisters, Frances Jackson and husband, Jimmy of Lebanon, VA, and Ada Horn of Meadowview, VA; three brothers, Curtis Smith and wife, Margie of Richlands, VA, Johnny Smith and wife, Jean of Cedar Bluff, VA, and Don Smith and wife, Betty of Wardell, VA; seven grandchildren, Shon Smith and wife, Cameron, Jasmin Smith, Corey Smith, Justin Jessee, Scotty Smith and fiancée, Jordyn, Heather Smith, and Haley Smith; one great-grandchild, Brenden Smith; special friends, Bob Huff, Dave Mills, Mary Ann Strong, and Linda Stump.

Funeral services for Mr. Lester Lee “Ground Hog” Smith will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 14, 2009 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands, VA with the Reverend Darryl Keene officiating.  Burial will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, VA.  Pallbearers will be Scotty Smith, Shon Smith, Justin Jessee, Corey Smith, Jonathan Dean Smith and Ryan Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Huff and Dave Mills.

The family will receive friends at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, VA from 6 – 9 p.m. Sunday, December 13, 2009.

In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Richlands Little League Baseball program.