Donald Lester Smith

Castlewood, VA – Donald Lester Smith, age 75, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 16, 2023. He was born in Russell County on September 30, 1948. He was a graduate of Lebanon High School and the Nashville Auto Diesel College. He was a man of faith and attended Memorial Chapel. He loved gardening, playing music in church and with his family, and cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren. He retired from Eastman Chemical Company after thirty-one years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Calvin and Ohlene Smith; sister: Judy O’Quinn; and granddaughter: Emma Grace Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-four years: Judy Campbell Smith; sisters: Peggy Fleenor and husband Rick, Frances Willis and husband Jimmy; brother: David Smith and wife Eileen; sons: Donald Joel (Joey) Smith and wife, Greta of Maryville, TN, James Gregory Smith of Chesapeake, VA, and Justin Brian Smith and wife Cally of Simpsonville, SC; four grandchildren: Eliana Smith, Ryan Smith, Avaline Smith, and Shepard Smith; along with several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 18, 2023 in the Combs-Hess Funeral Service Chapel with Pastors Donnie Melvin and Roger Hearl officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. A private burial will be held at the Smith family cemetery for the immediate family.

Serving as pallbearers will be Adam Smith, Jimmy Willis, Eddie O’Quinn, Mike Campbell, Roger Jessee, and Eric Hurd.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Campbell, Steve Ray, Rick Fleenor, Billy Steele, Buddy Thomas, Jackie Combs, Larry Hartsock and the men of Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ballad Health Hospice House or the American Kidney Fund (https://www.kidneyfund.org/ways-give). 

Expressions of sympathy may be made on Combs-Hess Funeral Service Facebook page and our website at www.chfunerals.com. Combs-Hess Funeral Service, 291 Hwy 71 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444, is serving the Smith family.