Franklin Kelley Smith, 89, went home to be with the Lord on November 6, 2021, at his home in Hinton, WV. Born February 22, 1932, in Lex, WV, he was the son of the late Caleb and Melvina Smith.

Franklin was a resident of Peterstown, WV, for over 40 years, and lived his final years with his beloved wife, Genny, in Hinton, WV. He was a member of the Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church, and in his later years, attended church more often and frequently spoke of his love for Christ. He was quoted as saying, "We have a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not do away with it." His final wishes were to see his entire family reconciled to Jesus and to one another.

Franklin was an avid trout fisherman in the streams of West Virginia. However, nothing could quite compare to his love for business. Franklin spent over forty years as a brakeman on N&S Railroad and later was promoted to Conductor. He worked there from age 16 until he retired and had many other home businesses. He was known for always working out a deal or a trade.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Robert Smith, Gene Smith, Caleb Smith Jr., Hollie Smith, Woodrow Smith, Virgil Smith, and Jake Smith; sisters, Lola Addair, Delilah Kennedy, Goldie Click, and Rosa Rowe; one son, David Randall Smith; stepson Daniel Chafin; and stepdaughter, Diana Lee.

Survivors include his wife, Mary "Genny" Bengey-Smith; sons, Alan Smith and wife Melissa, Harold Smith and wife Denise, and Jimi Smith, all of Augusta, GA, Michael Smith of Waynesboro, VA, and Ted Smith and wife Kelly of Columbus, OH; daughters, Nola Smith of Roanoke, VA, Angela Peterson and husband David of Summerville, SC, and Stephanie Villatoro and husband Eliu of Catharpin, VA; stepsons, Buck Chafin of Seymour, TN, Herbert Chafin of Goodlettsville, TN, and Ralph Chafin of Willoughby, OH; and stepdaughter, Blitz Turner of Ridgeview, WV. Franklin leaves behind a beautiful legacy of family. He has been blessed to see four generations with hundreds of grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren. In his last decade of life, he was able to spend much of his time with his beloved "little woman", Alessiah Bengey, his great granddaughter, and her mother Anastasia. Also surviving are his two best friends, Joseph Bengey and Robert Bengey and wife Linda of Hinton, WV. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to all who knew him.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown, WV, with Patricia D. Mick and Ezra Davis Jr. officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00PM until time of the services on Sunday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at the Caleb Family Cemetery in Paynesville, WV.

Those attending the services and visitation are asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Southern West Virginia for their special kind of caring.

Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, WV.