Darrell Smith

Darrell Lee Smith, age, 80, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday July 9, 2025, at Eden Memory Care in Crestview.

Darrell was born on October 4, 1944, in Portsmouth, Ohio. He grew up with his five siblings on Charles Street in Portsmouth. After graduating from Portsmouth High School, Darrell worked in Columbus, Ohio for Nationwide Insurance Company before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Thule, Greenland, Washington D.C. and Eglin Air Force Base working in communications and was honorably discharged in 1968.

While stationed at Duke Field, Darrell went in search of a church and God led him to First Methodist Church in Crestview where he met his future wife, Susan Barrow. They were married on November 29, 1968. After spending a year in Portsmouth where Darrell worked for Ohio Power, Darrell got a position at Chelco in DeFuniak Springs, and he and Susan headed back south. They lived in DeFuniak Springs for six years and then returned to Crestview with their young sons Lee and David. Darrell worked for CHELCO in the engineering department for 40 years.

Darrell was a longtime member of the First Methodist Church, He loved God and his church and was a faithful member serving on numerous committees, teaching Sunday School, Lay speaking and being a greeter on Sunday mornings. Darrell was also a Boy Scout leader with Troop 30 and was presented with the Award of Merit in 1986.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents James and Mildred Smith and his sister-in-law Patti Barrow Weatherford. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Susan Barrow Smith, his children Lee and Debra Smith and David and Jacque Smith, his grandchildren Cody and Haley Smith and Caroline and Jonathan Smith, his siblings Don (Joan) Smith, Melanie (Jim) Riley, Bill (Bev) Smith, Herb Smith and Carol Lutz, his sister in law Jan (Summer) Rutledge, brother-in-law Stephen (Janet) Barrow, brother-in-law Kerry Weatherford and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Vitas Hospice and Eden Memory Care for their wonderful care.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Methodist Church, Crestview on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be before the service starting at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Methodist Church Memorial Fund in memory of Darrell.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview. Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

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