Vernon Smith was born in Ajax, Kentucky on May 7, 1934 to James Smith and Polly Ann Fugate Smith. He married Elizabeth Ann Hale on April 25, 1964 in Newport, Kentucky. He was raised in Kentucky, moving to Marshall in 1980. He served in the National Guard for several years, and worked in the oilfield business until his retirement. Mr. Smith passed away February 8, 2014 at his residence in Marshall. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Ann Smith of Marshall; three sons, Vernon Smith, Jr., Michael Wade Smith and wife Laurie, and Kenneth Ray Smith, all of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter, Sheila Marshall of Cincinnati, Ohio; nine step children, Charlotte McClenan and husband Joe, Ronald Sexton and wife Sandra, all of Marshall, Charles W. Sexton and wife Julia of Abilene, Texas, Sue Green and husband Joe, Brenda Pinland all of Longview, Billy Don Sexton of Wise, Virginia, Jack Sexton of Kilgore, Dennis and Terry Sexton of Mansfield, Ohio, and Judy Mershon of Portsmouth, Ohio. Also surviving are a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; one sister, Sandra Sexton and husband Ronald of Marshall, and a number of nieces and nephews.