John C. Smith, 91, went to join a host of family and friends who have gone before him on December 30 at Deerfield Assisted Living in Boone.

John was born in Avery County to Herby and Mattie Jones Smith. He graduated from Cranberry High School and was quickly called to serve in the Korean Conflict. John was an avid letter writer. While in Korea, one girl from Timber Ridge soon went from pen pal to friend. After the war, John and Kathleen were married. With the help of an army recruiter, John went back to school, first to Lees McRae then to Appalachian where he earned both his B.A. and M.A. degrees. He began teaching at Bethel High School before moving to Watauga High where he taught for 34 years. John was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he taught the Keystone Sunday School class for 50 years. After retirement, in order to dodge the cold winters, John and Kathleen headed south to Florida for 18 years of sunshine and fishing. Known by his friends for his practical jokes. John will always be remembered for his love of Groundhogs Day and sending cards with customized poems.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 64 years, Kathleen Moore Smith, Brother Junior Max Smith, sister, Anna Lee Moore.

surviving: Daughters, Angie Denton, Jim (Roanoke, VA) Barbara Walz, Dick (Northampton, MA) 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, sisters, Helen Foster, Faynita Brannon, Edith Taylor (Cliff) and best friend, Muffin.

Services for John Smith will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00, prior to the service.

In Lieu of flowers the family would like for you to send memorial donations to: Beech Mountain History Museum

403 Beech Mtn. Parkway Beech Mtn, NC  28604

Online condolences may be sent to the Smith family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.