Lela Smith, 86, Canton, PA (wife of Jasper) went to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ, suddenly and quietly at home on Wednesday afternoon, November 25, 2015.
Lela Virginia was born in Boone, NC on November 16, 1929, the twelfth child and eighth daughter of the late Millard Isaac and Zora Cisco (Moretz) Castle. She attended the one-room school at Beech Flats until it closed and graduated in 1948 from Canton High School.
On September 2, 1950, Lela and Jasper S. Smith were married at the Lutheran Church in Hughesville, PA by Rev. Herman Steumpfle. They resided in the Canton area during their over 65 years of marriage with the exception of four years in Burlington where Jasper was pastor of the Burlington United Methodist Charge.
Lela Virginia was born in Boone, NC on November 16, 1929, the twelfth child and eighth daughter of the late Millard Isaac and Zora Cisco (Moretz) Castle. She attended the one-room school at Beech Flats until it closed and graduated in 1948 from Canton High School.
On September 2, 1950, Lela and Jasper S. Smith were married at the Lutheran Church in Hughesville, PA by Rev. Herman Steumpfle. They resided in the Canton area during their over 65 years of marriage with the exception of four years in Burlington where Jasper was pastor of the Burlington United Methodist Charge.
Lela was an active member of the East Canton United Methodist Church Sunrise Class and helped many times with Church functions until her recent illness.
She was an avid gardener, a very good cook and she never knew a stranger. She helped make over fifty large Swedish Embroidery Afghans which they gave to family and friends.
Lela was a 65-year member of the Beech Flats Grange No. 336 and also the Bradford-Sullivan Pomona Grange, Pennsylvania State Grange and the National Grange.
In addition to her husband Jasper, surviving are three children; Elwin (Debra) Smith, Angela (Ronald) Kirby all of Canton and Alisa (Jeff) Erway of Richmond, VA; eight grandchildren, Nichole (Mark) Beltz, of Tamaqua, Colene (Michael) Yakamook of McClure, Justin Smith of Lenhartsville, Jordan (Amanda) Kirby of Duncannon, Vanessa Kirby of Sayre (fiancé, Andrew Kabes), Allison Kirby of Sayre, Sarah Erway and Joshua Erway both of Richmond; great grandchildren; Nicholas Beltz, Noah and Aaron Yakamook, Emmaline and Annalise Virginia Kirby; four siblings, Ruby Conley of Elmira, NY, Edna (Bob) Groover of Connecticut, Alfred (Phyllis) Castle of Canton and Millard Jr. (Phyllis) Castle of Bainbridge, NY; sister-in-law, Marion Castle of Oxford, NY and brother-in-law, Myron Smith of Hughesville, also many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was predeceased by an infant son, Dale; infant daughter, Susan; sisters, Edith Cole, Lola Stanbery, Mabell Avery, Shirley Metzger, Eva Govus, Violet Jankowski and five brothers; James, Benjamin, Claude, Arnold and Frankie; great grandson Gregory Harrison Beltz
Calling hours were November 29 at Pepper Funeral Home, Canton and Monday, November 30 at the East Canton United Methodist Church
The funeral service was held November 30 with Rev. Dr. Dianne H. Bentley officiating.
Burial followed in Beech Flats Cemetery.
The family suggests that donations be given to the Beech Flats Grange, c/o Grange Secretary, A. Molyneux at 33 Black Bear Rd. Trout Run, PA 17771.
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