Rachel Joice Smith

Rachel Joice (Justice) Smith, 97 of Whitman, WV passed away December 20, 2025, at Trinity Healthcare Services of Logan.

She was born February 27, 1928, at Asco, WV to the late Albert and Julia Ann (Hawks) Justice. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Elbert T. Smith Jr.

Rachel attended Welch High School where she graduated with a general diploma, which was rare during the depression and in that area. She worked as a telephone operator in Logan until she met Elbert at a church picnic and they got married on January 1, 1950. Rachel loved to sew and at the age of 5 her mother gave her some fabric, and she made a dress for herself without a pattern. She would make beautiful drapes and valances and would sew for people to earn extra money. She also made red velvet cakes and pumpkin rolls to sell for extra money and would be very busy during the holidays filling her orders for pumpkin rolls.

She is survived by her only living brother, Lowery Justice of Bland, VA; daughters, Julia Ann (Michael) Crum of Logan, and Linda Kay (Donald) Ashworth, who resides in a nursing home in Dunbar, WV due to her dementia. Julia and Michael’s family includes Joanna, Dug, and Jason Hampton of Pearisburg, VA, Michael W. Crum Jr. of Roanoke, VA, Michelle and Linzy Sanders of Roanoke, VA; Linda’s family includes Crissy (Ricky) Smyrdel of Charleston, WV April (Joshua) Stewart of Nitro, WV, and Kimberly (Terance) Williams of Dunbar, WV. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Logan Church of the Nazarene on Dingess Street in Logan, where she was a member. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in her memory be made to the Logan Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 1410 Logan, WV 25601