Smith, Marvin Beckwith

Marvin Beckwith (Pete) Smith, 86, of Radford, Va., died on Thursday, November 15, 2007. He was born in Radford on November 13, 1921.

He was an employee of C & P Telephone Company for 38 years, retiring in September 1984. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 125th Naval Construction Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Radford.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Mildred (Mim) Kirby Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Randy Frye of Radford; son and daughter-in-law, Marvin Beckwith (Beck) and Rhonda Smith, Jr. of Christiansburg; daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Greg Pannell of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Chris Frye and wife, Carrie, of Charlotte, N.C., Bryan Frye of Christiansburg, Corey, Lucas, and Lacey Pannell of Fort Mill, S.C.; great-grandchildren, Jake and Will Frye of Charlotte, N.C. Also surviving are a sister, Hazel S. Venable of Pulaski, Va.; a brother, Reginald L. Smith of Hesperia, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 16, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Radford Fellowship Hall at Fourth and Randolph Streets.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at Presbyterian Church of Radford. Immediately following the service, the family will again receive friends at the church. Interment will be private at Sunrise Burial Park in Fairlawn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Presbyterian Church of Radford, 201 Fourth St., Radford, Va. 24141.

One of Pete’s favorite activities after retirement was to visit area construction sites. His outgoing personality afforded him the opportunity to wear his white hard hat and form a bond with local construction workers. One of his biggest joys was participating in the completion of the two bridges over the New River.