Wendell Smith

Wendell Benjamin Smith, age 98, of Danville, died Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Roman Eagle Memorial Home. Born on April 26, 1914 in PenHook, VA, he was a son of the late William Benjamin Smith and Frances Sophia Machenheimer Smith. He was married to the late Elsie R. Smith. A graduate of E. C. Glass High School, his first ninety-one years were in PenHook where he was a member of PenHook United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents and wife he was predeceased by a son Thomas Wendell Smith, a brother S. Raymond Smith and a sister, Loreen Keen Smith. He is survived by a son, Ronald B. Smith and wife Shirley of Roanoke; a daughter, Sylvia S. Henry and husband Harold of Danville. He has two grandchildren, Ann H. DiMedio and her husband Michael of Chicago and Tracy S. Lax and husband Roy of Roanoke; five great-grandchildren: Maria, Christina, and Max DiMedio, and Andrew and Emma Lax; a niece, Janet E. Smith of Washington, DC; and a daughter-in-law Martha H. Ratcliff as well as a dear friend Mrs. Frances Tate of Danville. A graveside service with the Reverend David L. Henry officiating will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Water's Edge in PenHook, VA. Townes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Smith family.