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BORN
1947
DIED
2012
FUNERAL HOME
John Smedley Obituary
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 1, at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverton United Methodist Church conducted by the Rev. Michael Derflinger. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Smedley was born September 25, 1947, in the Johnson's Nursing Home in Front Royal, son of the late Charles Lewis "Sheep" Smedley and Myrtle Mae Rudacille Smedley.
He was the Commissioner of Revenue of Warren County for 24 years. Previously he was employed as Tax Assessor for Warren County, as an independent distributor for The Washington Post, owner/operator of The Blue Ridge Market, and employed at Warren Quality Shop.
Mr. Smedley was a member of the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers, Commissioner of the Revenue Association of Virginia, Commissioner of the Revenue Executive Board-past member, Virginia Association of Local Elected Constitutional Officers, West Central Commissioner of the Revenue Association, Virginia Association of Local Tax Auditors, Izaak Walton League - Treasurer for twenty-one years, Warren County Republican Committee, Riverton United Methodist Church President of the Men's Group, past member of the Front Royal Rotary Club served as Treasurer for six years, and was a Paul Harris Fellow, past member of the Front Royal-Warren County Jaycees serving as President and won the Outstanding Young Man of Warren County and Outstanding Young Man of America in 1975, and former member of the Chamber of Commerce of Front Royal and Warren County. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins.
Surviving are his wife, Doris Ann Dodson Smedley; two sons, John H. Smedley, Jr. and his wife Melissa of Fort Valley and Christopher Kelley Smedley and his wife Linda of Stephens City; two daughters, Desiree Nicole Smedley of Front Royal and Jessica Lesley Margaret Smedley Pinker and husband Jason of Bristow; three brothers, Donnie Milton Smedley, Winifred Lee "Win" Smedley, and Charles William "Shavey" Smedley, all of Browntown; a sister, Geneva Mae "Sally" Stogdale of Front Royal; eight grandchildren, Brittney Kaye Fletcher, Alyssa Kathryn Smedley, Deadra Valexity Smedley, Diane Marie Smedley, Wesley Dwayne Smedley, Christopher Evan Smedley, John Preston Smedley, and Andrew Chase Turner; a great-granddaughter, Valexity Mae Jo Jenkins; an aunt and uncle, Margaret and John Torrence; a sister-in-law, Jimmye Ann Dodson; and thirteen nieces and nephews, Tamara Lee "Tammy" Buracker, Trey Dodson, Leonard Wayne Smedley, Danny Milton Smedley, Michael David Smedley, Deborah Lynn Dawson, Lori Ann Barnett, William Lee Smedley, Charles Martin Smedley, Bryan Beavers Smedley, Jason Bradley Smedley, Walter Lee Vickers, Jr., and Kimberly Vickers Shifflett. He is also survived by his two loving pet cats "Mr. Peepers" and "Boo".
He was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard Louis Smedley and a sister, Lois Ann Smedley.
Pallbearers will be Dominic Repici, Richard Campbell, Wendall Davis, Norman Shiflett, David Blanton, Ralph Smith, Burt Sours, and Jesse "J.R." Dove.
Honorary pallbearers will be staff members of the Commissioner of the Revenue Office, Crystal Jarvis, Emily Jordan, Deanna Heishman, Roy Boyles, Linda Fuller, Chrissy Thomas, Vivian Lake, and Sherry Sours.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Riverton United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Riverton United Methodist Church, 55 East Strasburg Road, Front Royal, VA 22630.
Services are being handled by Maddox Funeral Home.
Sign the Guest Book at www.nvdaily.com/obituaries
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Smedley
John K Bieschke
September 11, 2012
I remember fondly atlking with Mr. Smedley at 3:00am when he delivered the Sunday Post. Very nice gentleman.
~Nancy Pearson~
September 7, 2012
~Doris, And Family,
My Thoughts And Prayers Are With You.
John Was Such A Good Person, Family Man, A Great Asset To Our Community, And Will Be Sorely Missed~
~May God Bless~
Buddy and Brenda Lillard
September 5, 2012
Doris and Family,
We were so sad to hear about John. Things and places won't be the same without him. He will be missed by all.
God Bless and take care of all.
ralph west
September 3, 2012
John will be missed by warren county, he was truely a good man that resprented the best of our county.
Larry Smelser
September 2, 2012
So sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
September 1, 2012
Sally So sorry for the loss of your brother.You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.shelia and kent chirgwin
September 1, 2012
Our prayers are with all of you. Accept my heart-felt sympathy.
"Peanut" Tharpe
September 1, 2012
Our prayers are with the family through this difficult time. He'll be greatly missed in this community.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Fumea
Bill Long
September 1, 2012
Sandy and I are saddened to hear of your loss. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Legge
September 1, 2012
John was a great guy and good friend and will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dave Rickert
September 1, 2012
John was a warm, friendly, and good man who lived a good life. He will be missed by all.
September 1, 2012
Our Prayers are with you and the family at this time.
Ray and Sallie Morrison
Lovell & Cynthia
September 1, 2012
You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time of great loss. Lovell Brown & Cynthia Rudacille
Charlie Butler
September 1, 2012
John will be sadly missed by this community. Our sincere thanks for everything that he has done for us all. God bless you and give you strength in the days ahead.
The Charlie Butler Family
Ben Weddle
September 1, 2012
JOhn is missed already. I remember him first as a 4H youngster at Browntown school.
He may have been the recipient of a Sears Roaebuck pig to raise.
He had come a long way from those days.
He will be remembered for a lot of things, but I will remember him for his efforts to assist elderly individuals and couple living in Warren County's rural areas.
God be with you John.
Ben Weddle
Jen Coyle
September 1, 2012
Des...thinking of you and your family and sending big hugs and lot's of strength to you today. I know he will be missed so much.
September 1, 2012
Doris and family. I'm so sorry to hear of John's passing.My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Faye Wines Campbell
Larry Clark
September 1, 2012
Celebrating a life well lived,will miss you my friend, God bless
Terri and Robert Harper
September 1, 2012
Our hearts and our prayers go out to your family right now.
Kelley Mosher Weaver
September 1, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. I will celebrate his life and pray for your family. I remember many years ago sitting in the kitchen talking to mom braiding Jessica's and laughing at dads silly jokes. My heart goes out to you all. Love and hugs
Kelley Mosher Weaver
September 1, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. I will celebrate his life and pray for your family. I remember many years ago sitting in the kitchen talking to mom braiding Jessica's and laughing at dads silly jokes. My heart goes out to you all. Love and hugs
Lauren Fristoe
August 31, 2012
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Jr and Connie Jenkins
August 31, 2012
We are so very sorry for your loss! Sending thoughts and prayers your way that God may hold you all close during this difficult time!
August 31, 2012
Dear Doris and family, - We were so shocked to hear of John's passing. We are sooo sorry. May God truly comfort and uplift your family now and in the days to come. Please know that John was our friend and he will be truly missed. Dan & Tracie Thomas, Memories Engraving Plus
Ron and Pam Brinkley
August 31, 2012
Doris and Family: We will miss John forever in our hearts but our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you live on with the wonderful memories and may God Bless you today and always.
Mitch and Joyce Clem
August 31, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Annie Nicewarner
August 31, 2012
Dear Doris and family, so sorry about John's passing. He was a good man, he came here to the house to see Tommy the day before he passed and stayed about 2 hours, I will always remember that. Tommy liked to have breakfast or lunch with him at L D's. God Bless you and your family. Love, Annie
Lisa Settle
August 31, 2012
Lighting a candle in memory of John H. Smedley Sr.
Lisa Settle
August 31, 2012
To the Smedley Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, John will be greatly missed. He has made a very good impact on our community and he was loved by many. He never met a stranger. I pray that God will give all of you the strength to heal from your loss of John. He was a very good man, and everyone knows he walking to floors of Heaven. God has big plans for John and only chooses the best to be with him. God bless all of you and I will pray for your healing through this tough time.
Joyce & John Wimmer
August 31, 2012
John will be greatly missed in the community. He always had a friendly word for everyone. His immediate and extended family are in our thoughts and prayers.
B.J. Wilson
August 31, 2012
I saw John nearly every morning. He would wave as I drove-by during his morning walks. Some mornings he would stop by my office window and knock on it, which would make me jump, but as I turned he would be there smiling & say good morning. John always had a good sense of humor. John's passing was shocking and still does not seem real. My thoughts & prayers go out to all of his family.
Wendell Davis
August 31, 2012
Doris & Family, John was the first person to make Doris & I feel welcome when we moved to Front Royal. He always spoke of us sharing Doris's in our life. Most of all I will miss John on Tuesdays at Lauders UMM breakfast. God bless you and the family in this time of saddness.
Kathy Martin
August 31, 2012
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Doug and Kathy Napir
August 31, 2012
Doris and family of John,
John was a very special man. He wss full of love for you, and he often said it. His love will be with you always.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Haneklau family
August 31, 2012
Jessica (and family),
We are so sorry to hear about your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. We are here to help in any way. With our sympathies, John, Kelly and Josie
John Baptist and Doris Ann Smith
August 31, 2012
Doris and Family, We will deeply miss John and his wonderful smile! We will miss him telling us to keep each other safe and love each other! No matter where we look we will be thinking of John and his wonderful smile! But we know that the good Lord up above is taking good care of John at this time! With much love, John Baptist and Doris Ann Smith
Hilda Shell
August 30, 2012
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Ajeta Keller
August 30, 2012
Doris and Family, May the love and prayers of friends surround you during these sad days. Let the memories bring you peace! John will be deeply missed! Biddie Keller
August 30, 2012
I first met John when he attended his first West Central Commissioner of the Revnue's meeting and since I am a resident of Warren County also knew him through the office there. An honor to know him. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers with you all. God Bless. Donald and Linda Funk (Winchester Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue)
Lynne
August 30, 2012
I'm sorry for your loss. It is a time of reflection on a life well lived. May God grant you and your family his comfort and hope . The resurection account in John 11 ,and Jesus words to Martha are very comforting during times of loss to me. I hope this will bring you comfort too. Sincerely,
Teresa Lockhart Lamb
August 30, 2012
The Smedley Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Memories are the best to hold on to & get you through this though time. My best memories of him is when he was first campaigning for the "Commish" position. Oh how he wanted the job & he got it.It is called determination and LOTS of walking, talking & shaking hands.Good old fashioned campaigning. I also remember many times when he helped out with the band, including trips, competitions & the fruit sale. He was always willing to lend a hand and give rides home if asked. I know all of you and you are survivors as you take after John. He is all well now and we all will see him again in Heaven. You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Love & hugs to everyone.
Teresa Lockhart Lamb
David & Nancy Benner
August 30, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. John will be missed by not only his family, but the Warren County community that he has lived to serve, whether in his work, church, politics, or volunteer community service such as bell ringing for the Salvation Army. He has been a true blessing to us all. Thank You for sharing him with us.
Kevin Owens
August 30, 2012
You are all in our prayers -
Love & Light to you all
RIP John
Brett & Jessica Dunmyer
August 30, 2012
Our condolences and prayers are with the family.Mr. Smedley was a great man. He brung me a paper and a coffee every morning , when I worked at North Fork Resort. May god be with you !
Keith Pomeroy
August 29, 2012
Sorry that John moved to the Lords home so eary in his life. He was a very great man and will be missed by everyone. May the family find peace during these sad times, Prayers go out to the entire family
Patricia Vaught Lombardi
August 29, 2012
J.H. and family, I was so sorry to hear of Mr. Smedley's passing. I seem to remember that he was always there during school and other events and always kept us going and in good spirits. I felt like he was an uncle watching over us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mae Jenkins
August 29, 2012
R. I. P John H. Smedley
The angel always come 4
The best. U always been a
Good friend to me. God
Always take the best.
My prayers go out to the
Family.
August 29, 2012
May The Good Lord Bless you John's Family at your time of Loss. Our Prayers are with at this time for your loss. John & Ginger Striker
August 29, 2012
Mrs. Smedley and family, It was with great pleasure that I had the privilige of knowing Mr. Smedley through Charlie Campbell and the COR's Association. He always made me smile and think myself very important because I was a new Treasurer here in Page County. May it help you and your family to know that others are thinking of you, and have fond memories of him. Penny R. Gray, Treasurer of Page County
Debbie & Caden Henry
August 29, 2012
Our Prayers Are with You at This Difficult Time.
Blessed Are The Memories That Will Hold Him To Thy Heart.
Ray & Carol Ergenbright
August 29, 2012
To John's Family,
I knew John from my association with him as Commissioner of the Revenue and as a potential customer for assessment administration software. He was a man I respected and admired for his attention to his constituents and his desire to "do what is right". I considered him a collegue and a friend. I will miss his smiling greeting when I walked into his office. May God grant that your grief be short lived but that your fond memories last forever. We look forward to seeing him again.
Mary Langfitt Touhey
August 29, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of John. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hilda Mauck
August 29, 2012
So sorry for your loss, may you and your family be comforted in this sad time as I know it is never easy losing a love one, but the Lord keep you close and may John keep his watch over you and your family as well. God be with you all. Hilda & Larry Mauck
Dick & Sandi Kirkland
August 29, 2012
Our prayers go out to you and your entire family. John will truly be missed. I will miss seeing him every morning on the way to work as he was walking.
Vicky Riley
August 29, 2012
May God bring you peace and heal your sorrow.
Larry & Rita Harden
August 29, 2012
Doris, We were shocked to hear of John's passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and the family. May the wonderful memories of your life together sustain you during this most difficult time,
Linda Good
August 29, 2012
May he rest in peace and his memories bring comfort to your family. Thinking of you all in your time of sorrow and sadness.
Jim Ballard
August 29, 2012
Doris and family, I am very sorry to hear of John's passing. John was probably the hardest working man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and will be sadly missed by all. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers and God Bless......
Bonnie Feldhauser
August 28, 2012
Doris and Family,
We are so saddened by John's passing. We will miss his "hi neighbor" that he said every time we saw him no matter where we were. Please remember all the wonderful time and memories you have had with John and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie and Hoss
Diane Neal
August 28, 2012
We were at a restaurant two weeks ago and seen John and his family. He came up and shook hands with us and was laughing with Ace. We will miss John as our Commissioner of Revenue. God bless his family.
Richard Rawlings
August 28, 2012
I am sorry for your loss. John was a good friend and I will miss him.
Juanita Spencer
August 28, 2012
We are so sorry to hear about John. He was a great man. He loved people and people loved him. He will be greatly missed by many people.
Juanita, Donnie, and Donald Spencer
David /Joann Jenkins
August 28, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
August 28, 2012
Kitten Dillow
August 28, 2012
Wayne & Pasty,Tina Grim
August 28, 2012
Sue & Steve Cowgill
Alyssa
August 28, 2012
Pap. I love you so much. This is very rough but it's not goodbye it's see you later. I miss you. Please watch over all of us . Ill always be your boy (:
Andrew Turner
August 28, 2012
Sorry for your loss. I know losing a loved one is a difficult thing. God bless you'll.
Amy Fogle (Welsh) and family
August 28, 2012
J.H. and family,
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thought and prayers go out to each and every one of you. Just now there is now a special angel watching out for you.
Patti Tharpe (Ferrebee) and family
August 28, 2012
To the family,
I am so sorry to hear of the lost, my thought and prayers are with you all. You now have a special angel watching over you.
Scott Weinberg
August 28, 2012
May the Good Lord Jesus bless John Smedley and his family forever. He loved our family and we loved him. He was a good and strong public servant of the people of Warren County, and God. Through the mercy of God may he rest in peace.
Shari Piccione
August 28, 2012
My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the family of John. He was a wonderful guy and I'm glad to have known him for all the years when I worked at WCSO. Good memories of John that I will never forget. May he rest in peace and the family find comfort in this time of loss.
August 28, 2012
Doris and family
Truely sorry for your loss, John is on another journey,always smiling and enjoying life as much as it gave. He will be truely missed by me and many in the great county of Warren and the town of Front Royal.
Bless you and your family.
T.C. Lynn
August 28, 2012
Doris & Family: We are so shocked by the news we reeived Friday evening. JOhn was such a wonderful person and friend to so many. I will miss bantering with him about "our" Redskins and their many difficult seasons. John and Andy just walked together last Monday and had such good laughs.This entire Community has lost a loyal, hard working friend.
Andy and Dee Stokes
August 28, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Candice Crim
August 28, 2012
Thoughts & prayers go out to the Smedley family. Use to always see John walking in town every morning on my way to work. He will be missed.
Laura
August 28, 2012
Tears are in my eyes as I read of the passing of Mr. Smedley. It was a pleasure to get to know he and his wife while we lived on Browntown Road -- he loved his family and he loved the people of Warren County. Blessings to all.
Sheila Gordno
August 28, 2012
I knew John for years while working at the WC Courthouse. He was a friend of our family and my father's as well. John was very unique and special with a deep sense of duty. My sympathy to each and every family member and friend. God bless you all. Sheila Clatterbuck Gordon and family
Randy Brill
August 28, 2012
John, I was blessed to know you for so many years.You were the greatest, father, Husband, Friend, in the world.I have so many memories of playing Baseball with your son Bradley. You never missed a game. I will miss you John. God Bless Randy Brill
Amber Chappell
August 28, 2012
so sorry for your loss thought and prayer are with you. John will be missed
Drew Manning
August 28, 2012
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. He was always such a nice and friendly man. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jesse (JR) & Callie Dove
August 28, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to the Smedly family. The shock of John's sudden passing has shaken us all. We will keep all the family & friends in our prayers. I know JR will miss him greatly-he really enjoyed their morning coffee time!
louis[ peanut] tharpe
August 28, 2012
john will be missed greatly, he always had a smile. The family are in our prayers.
August 28, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers goes out to the family. R.I.P John.
August 28, 2012
We were so sorry to hear of John's death. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the entire family.
Jeb Hockman
August 28, 2012
I am so sorry to learn of John's untimely passing. Some of my favorite memories were the days I spent working with John at the Warren Quality Shop. We sold a lot of ties and suits and had fun doing it.
May the Peace of Christ be with the Smedley family. John will be missed.
George McIntyre
August 28, 2012
A wonderful man who will be missed every day. He served this world in a professional, loving way and we are all honored to have known John.
Tim Ratigan
August 28, 2012
I so enjoyed the occasional phone call at work I would get from John just to chat. I also enjoyed driving by and beeping the horn and having him wave with that larger then life smile on his morning walks. These are times I will miss and Teasure. God Bless His Family and Friends during this time of sorrow. Rest in Peace John.
Jeff Fletcher
August 28, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of loss. I pray you are comforted by God's love and the care and support of family, friends and community. We are grateful for John's many contributions to our community.
August 28, 2012
JOHN WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. mY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU & U'R FAMILY.
Shan Helsley
August 28, 2012
You are in my heart, and in my prayers. Praying for the special needs and intentions of the family. God bless you.
Barry & Tina Stogdale
August 28, 2012
It was a great pleasure to have had Jonny as my step uncle. Uncle Johnny will always hold a special place in my heart.
Tom & Carla Sayre
August 28, 2012
We light a candle and pray for the soul of John Smedley. He was a magnificent politician and a trusted friend.
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