A. Vance Smith
A gloom was cast over the entire community of Valois when the word that Albert
Vance Smith had quietly passed into the Great Beyond on Wednesday night, March 11,
1953, at the Shepard hospital in Montour Falls. He was 79.
He was the son of David L. and Mary Potter Smith and was born in the farm house
north of Valois where he spent his entire life, being the third generation of
Smiths to live there. He devoted his entire life to farming. For many years he
conducted the milk route in Valois and vicinity. Due to failing health, he retired
several years ago and his son Marvin, has conducted the farm since.
The Smith home was one of hospitality down through the years. The hand of
friendship was always extended to both young and old. Having young people around
him kept him young. His children never looked upon him as being old, for he was
young in spirit and had a keen and alert mind to the last. There are but few people
who grow old as gracefully as Mr. Smith.
In 1931, his wife, Elizabeth Chrysler Smith, passed away. She was the mother of
their 12 children. Later he married Miss Mary Voorheis of Lodi, who survives him.
He was a devoted member of the Valois Methodist Church as long as it existed.
After his marriage to Miss Voorheis, he, for a time, attended the Lodi Methodist
Church. He was a sincere worker for the welfare of the community and for the unity
of the Valois Community Church. His warm handshake and cheerful greeting will be
missed. His pew is empty but his influence will be remembered. Mr. Smith was a
great reader and enjoyed keeping up on current topics and discussing them with his
friends.
He was a member of the Valois Community Church and North Hector Grange. A kind,
loving husband and father, a good neighbor and a public spirited citizen has gone
to his reward.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; eight sons, Royce of Alpine, Paul of Rochester,
David of Baltimore, Md., Donald of Elmira, Marvin of Valois, Carl of Pasadena,
California, Edward of Silver Springs, Md., George of Wyandotte, Michigan; four
daughters, Mrs. Eleanor Confer of Montour Falls, Mrs Dorothy Perry of Ossining,
Miss Ruth Smith of Montour Falls, Miss Virginia Smith of Elmira; a sister, Mrs.
Harriette Updike of this village; 19 grandchildren.
Funeral services were largely attended Saturday afternoon in the Valois Community
Church, the Rev. O. J. Stevenson and Rev. H. P. Dunlap officiating. Interment was
in Seneca Union Cemetery, Valois.
A very large profusion of flowers spoke in a small way of the high esteem in which
he and his family are held.
Watkins Express