Rodney Freeman Smith

Rodney was a loving husband to Delores May Smith who passed away December 19, 2022. Rodney and Delores were married on March 1, 1958. He was the eldest child of Freeman Smith and Rena (Firth) Smith. Rodney grew up outside of Wrightsville, PA. He attended school at Lottsville Elementary School, Youngsville High School and Sugar Grove High School.

Rodney was the beloved father of six children: Alan R. Smith (Dori Bennett) of Sugar Grove, PA; Debra S. Oldaker (Larry Oldaker) of Bridgeport, WV; Brenda A. Smith (1963-2024); Beth M. Penland (Kent) of Stoneboro, PA; Lynn M. Smith of Warren, PA; and Daniel R. Smith (Rochelle Schell) of Bear Lake, PA. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as a sister, Leila Lisk of NC.

Rodney worked on his parent’s farm and volunteered in service to the Army for three years joining on Feb. 2, 1953. He served in Korea during the Korean War. Rodney was a member of the Cottonbalers, the 2nd battalion, 7th Infantry regiment and he had an honorable discharge on Feb. 3, 1956, having attained the rank of Corporal. He served his country with pride. After serving his country, he was employed by the National Forge in Irvine, PA. Rodney began logging in the mornings before his shift and going to the forge in the afternoon. He began working full-time as a logger after he was laid-off at the National Forge. From that point forward, Rodney was self-employed as a logger.

Rodney loved to camp and prospected for gold many summers out west. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and his favorite trout-fishing spot was located in Stoney Run, PA. He planted a garden and harvested it every year of his life. In his later years, Rodney loved watching birds and tending to his chickens. Rodney loved to travel and traveled all over the lower 48 states. Rodney faithfully attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church all his life.

Besides his wife and daughter, Rodney was also preceded in death by his parents, Freeman and Rena Smith; his brother, Ernest Smith and his sisters, Janet Brown, Louella Braley, Carolyn Walcott, Norma Smith and Vera Kellogg.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, November 13th at the Nelson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 314 N. Main Street, Youngsville, PA 16371, from 11am-1pm at which time a funeral service will be held there with the Lay Pastor, Collins Fyock, retired pastor of the Brown Hill Wesleyan Church. Rodney will be laid to rest at the Wesleyan Cemetery, Sugar Grove, PA where the Youngsville American Legion Honor Guard will provide full military honors.

Condolences to the family may be made at nelsonfuneralhome.net.