Charley Smart

Charley Taylor Smart, Jr., 77, of Fairplain went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

Charley was born October 2, 1948 in Charleston, WV a son of the late Velma and Charley Smart Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepdad, Jim Miller.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Janet (Woods) Smart and three sons Charley III (Jennifer) of Davisville, WV, Andrew of Fairplain and David of Sissonville.

Charley was a graduate of Sissonville High School and DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago. He was a retiree of Union Carbide of South Charleston. He was proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving his country aboard the USS Leahy, a guided missile destroyer, as well as being stationed in Puerto Rico from 1969-1973. He would later serve as member of the Jackson County Honor Guard rendering final military rites to fellow veterans. Charley and Janet volunteered at the Ripley Senior Center and conducted crafting classes. He was a resident of Jackson County since 1978 and he loved growing a garden each year on his little piece of land in Fairplain.

Charley fought a brave battle until the end and his loving wife and devoted son Andrew were at his bedside when he went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Charley never met a stranger and his smile and friendly conversation will be missed by all. He's in Heaven now making friends with the angels. He was a devoted husband and Dad who will be greatly missed.

God bless you all and may we meet in Heaven someday.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, December 15th at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in the Floral Hills Garden of Memories, Pocatalico. Military Rites will be rendered by the Jackson County Honor Guard. Online memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com