Roy B. Smith

Roy B Smith, aged 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2006, in Minster, OH. Roy was born in his family home on 18 mile road in Cedar Springs, MI, on February 9, 1920, the son of Effie Mae Teachout Smith and George Birney Smith. In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Lavon Violet, two sisters, Blanche I. Smith of Cedar Springs, MI, and Bessie M. Empie of Toledo, OH; a brother, Duane W. Smith of Springfield, MO. Roy is survived by two daughters, Judith E. Kelley of Dayton, OH, and Kathleen E. (Roger) Neikamp of New Breman, OH; four grandchildren, Richard A. (Crystal) Frederick of Bartlett, TN, Doneille J. (Joseph) Higgs and Rachel M. Kelley of Dayton, OH, and Jessica N. Neikamp of New Breman, OH; six great-grandchildren, Steven and Kevin Frederick of Oak Harbor, WA, Dalton and Ashlynn Frederick of Bartlett, TN, and Tyler Ison and Riley Higgs of Dayton, OH. Roy lived in the Cedar Springs area for over seventy years and had many family ties there. As a young boy, Roy helped his father, the Solon Township Cemetery sexton, plant the boarder of pine trees that now towers above the cemetery. Roy was a graduate of Cedar Springs High School and attended Marion College in Marion, IN. A talented musician, Roy played classical guitar and sang in a quartet, performing in the local area and for services in the Solon Center Wesleyan Church where he was a member and his grandfather, Frederick W. Teachout, was a pastor. Roy’s musical talent provided a lifetime of enjoyment. Roy also enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, crossword puzzles and U.S. history. Roy met his lovely wife, Lavon Violet Gilliland, while they both lived in Cedar Springs and carpooled together to jobs in Grand Rapids. They were married in Boulder, CO, on September 20, 1946, where Roy was stationed in the military. Roy was a WWII veteran and, serving as a Corporal in the U.S. Army, was awarded a bronze star. Roy owned and operated his own beauty salons in Rockford and Grand Rapids, MI, and retired from Sackner Products, Inc. in 1986. Roy lived a quiet but full life centered around family and friends. At the end of his life, Roy renewed his boyhood decision to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. The family is looking forward to being reunited in the Earth made new. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 30, at 2:00 PM in the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, 13603 Northland Drive NE, Cedar Springs, MI, with Pastor Ron Mills of the Sparta Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Solon Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM on Wednesday, November 29, at he funeral home. Donations in Roy’s memory may be made to the Smith-Teachout Memorial Fund for music ministry, c/o the Solon Center Wesleyan Church, 15671 Algoma Avenue NE, Cedar Springs, MI, 49319-8864.