John Smiley

Waynesville-John H. Smiley, Jr., age 69, of Presidential Drive, died Friday, September 21, 2007 at his home. A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late John and Pearl Godfrey Smiley, and the husband of the late Anne McElroy Smiley who died in 2001. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Katrina Louise Smiley; a sister, Judy S. McElroy and a brother, Danny Smiley. He held a degree in Criminalology and was employed by the state of North Carolina in the Wildlife Enforcement Division for 20 years and retired as Captain in 1986. He was a charter member of Ninevah Baptist Church and ministered in Sunday school, prisons, nursing homes and mission work. John was an honorary member of the NC Sheriff's Association and was very active in the local AA Chapter. He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific on the USS Hancock. He is survived by two daughters, Regina Smiley of Maggie Valley and Karen D. Smiley of Indian Trail, NC; five sisters, Patsy Matthews of Cary, NC, Emily Partin of Asheville, NC, Shirley Carey of Spartanburg, SC, Lynda Hulin of Raleigh, NC and Carol Moore of Garner, NC; one granddaughter, Meredith Leigh Gragg and several special nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 24, 2007 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Mike Leslie officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Serving as pallbearers will be the Men's Adult Sunday School class. Memorials may be made to the Ninevah Baptist Church Building Fund, 931 Country Club Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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