Daniel Ray "Danny" Smith

Daniel "Danny" Ray Smith, age 77, of Clemmons, North Carolina, formerly of Marion, IL, passed away peacefully at 4:45 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, December 15, 2023, at his home in Clemmons, surrounded by his children.
He was born on April 3, 1946, in Benton, IL, at the home of his grandparents, the son of Robert "Bob" Gene and Charlotte May-Marie (Jarvis) Smith. Soon after, his family moved to DuQuoin, IL, where he attended school, was a track athlete, and a graduate of DuQuoin High School Class of 1964.
Shortly after his graduation, he answered the call of duty to our great nation by enlisting into the United States Navy. The majority of his service was aboard ship stationed in the Mediterranean Sea as a Sonar Man tracking Russian submarines. After his period of faithful service, he was honorably discharged in 1968.
Upon returning to the DuQuoin area he began working at the well-known DuQuoin Meat Packing Plant.
He then met Jane Ellen Atwood while back in DuQuoin and they were united in marriage on July 2, 1971. Together they shared 49 years of marriage until her death on August 9, 2020.
Dan's family were coal miners and through their influence he received a job with Freeman United Coal Company, Orient 6, worked very hard as a coal miner himself for 28 years, then retired to become the main caregiver to his wife and youngest son.
While living in Marion, he was a member of the Marion Church of God. Dan was a devout Pentecostal and found great joy being very involved in all the many activities of the church, including holding several leadership roles. He always made time to witness for our Lord and found creative ways to share the love of Jesus with everyone.
In his spare time, Dan enjoyed many types of music, was an avid photographer, enjoyed collecting and watching movies, especially John Wayne Westerns, was an exceptional chef, and loved gardening, with a big focus on roses, with his favorites being "Mr. Lincoln", "Peace" and "Chicago."
He loved his family very much and enjoyed the many times they shared together, always interested in hearing about all the activities going on in their daily lives. These many memories created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind. He was known by his children as being "The Best Daddy Ever."
He is survived by his daughter, Christine Smith-Hannah and husband, Sean of Lewisville, NC; youngest son, Shawn Daniel Smith of Clemmons, NC; granddaughter, Abaigeal Delaney Hannah of Lewisville, NC; two sisters, Sandy Hill and husband, Dwight of DuQuoin, IL and Mary Ellen Lovell of Hockley, TX; very close family friend, Blair Harris of Clemmons, NC, a host of nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and eldest son, Mark Alan Carter.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL.
The visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 20th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday December 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Rod Joplin presiding.
Internment will immediately follow in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion, Illinois, with a Celebration of Life Luncheon to be held afterwards.
Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by members of the Marion V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post 1301 Funeral Honors Detail and the United States Navy Funeral Honors Detail.
For those who prefer memorial donations versus flowers, the family requests they be directed to either or all: "Finding Forever Animal Rescue", "Murphysboro Food Pantry", and/or "St. Jude Children's Research Hospital". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, Marion, Illinois 62959.
For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.