Thornton Earl Smith, Jr.

Thornton Earl Smith, Jr., went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 5, 2025. He was born August 24, 1946 in Parkersburg, to the late World War II Veteran Thornton Earl, Sr and Dollie Irene Davis Smith, as their only child.

After growing up in Ravenswood, he graduated with the class of 1964. After graduation he and his mother moved to Parkersburg where he attended Mountain State College. He received his degree there in 1966 after completing a 2-year Business Administration Course. He then worked for Eureka Pipeline doing payroll for 10 years. In 2004, he retired from DuPont where he worked in labs for 28 years. After retirement he worked briefly for Kohl’s, Elder-Beerman, Lowes, and Habitat Restore.

Thornton gave of his time, talents, and service as a volunteer for Wood County Saulsbury 4-H Club as a leader, Adopt-A-Highway, Camden Clark, Habitat Re-Store, Mt. Pleasant UMC food pantry, Parkersburg South band and soccer boosters, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, as well as others.

His infectious smile and laugh will be heard and remembered by all who knew him. He loved coffee, the Mountaineers, his many dogs, and his church. His love of dogs can be traced back to his earlier years when he ordered and received a dog from Spiegel Catalog. Boxers were his precious companions, especially after retirement. As for his church, he couldn’t say enough good about Trinity Christian Church. He was blessed beyond measure, being assured of his home in heaven. “Standing at the dining room table reading from his Bible, two days before his brain cancer diagnosis,” says his wife “was one of the last memories I had of him.”

Thornton might say that driving the camper with his wife through 20 states, to and from California, the Pacific Coast was one of his greatest accomplishments. This was especially true of pulling it across the Golden Gate Bridge on a Friday evening near rush hour. Afterwards, he said he could drive anywhere, no fear. His camping included being a 19-year member of the Wild Wonderful Sams Camping Chapter, camping in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. While working at DuPont, his summer vacations consisted of taking his family to Canaan Valley.

He loved his family dearly and every opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren. He liked gardening, especially raising his own tomatoes. His yard was always well trimmed with lovely flowers. Many hours were spent relaxing with a book in his hand and reading his Bible.

Thornton is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Vera Hatcher Smith, a Ripley High 1964 graduate; devoted sons, Christopher David Smith (Caroline) of Taylorsville, NC, David Earl Smith (Jodi Ann Curry) of Rockport, and Philip Todd Smith (Molly) of Parkersburg; grandchildren whom he adored, Savannah and Maggie Smith, Abbey and Addison Smith, Owen and Lydia Smith, and Gage Piggott. Also, a special cousin, Jane Ann Pigott (Paul) of Belleville who has been like a sister since childhood; and his beloved boxer and special companion, Cooper.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, Oscar Bruce and Vertie Mae Davis Smith of Gassaway and Henry Leroy and Della Foreman Davis of Ravenswood; all aunts and uncles; and his boxers, Buddy, Bailey, and Hemi.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital, 5th floor, Encompass, Cedar Grove Assisted Living, especially Jodi, Housecalls Hospice, and all friends and family for prayers, visits, and cards this past month.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later date, at the convenience of the family.

Lambert Tatman Funeral Home, South Parkersburg, has been entrusted with Thornton’s final wishes, and are honored to serve the family.