Hunter James Alexander Smith, 29, of Princeton died early Friday morning, February 7, 2025 in his mother's arms at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Hunter was born on April 17, 1995 to Serita (Smith) Watson and Warren Dale Smith II in Oceanside, California.

Hunter was immaculately cared for by his mother his entire life as he developed Lennox-Gastaut syndrome as an infant. No one could understand the heart-wrenching sacrifices she has made for her beloved Hunter over his lifetime.  Hunter was so strong, and fought courageously his entire life against his illness, defying odds over and over. He graduated from Mercer County Schools in 2014.

Serita devoted her entire self to his care and happiness. She taught Hunter about Jesus who we trust received him into His arms from hers.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother and father Serita and Earl Watson, sister Sarah Smith and brother John Bower (Bo) Duggan of his home and stepbrother Dustin Duggan of Vail, CO. His grandmothers Janet Smith of Princeton, Linda Watson of Lexington, NC and Anne Duggan of Princeton, WV.  Aunts Sherri (Michael) Simmons of Charleston, SC and Stephanie (Daniel) Morrison of Princeton, WV. Cousins Craig (Beth) Simmons, Kate (Justin) Robinson, Emme and Lily Morrison, and Graham, Henry Jack, and Lucy Robinson. Biological father Warren Dale Smith II and wife Crystal, and children Kaydince and Warren Smith.

Meeting him in heaven was his Papaw James H. Smith. He was also preceded in death by his stepfather David Duggan, and paternal grandparents Warren Dale Smith and Debbie Horeluck.

Hunter's family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Richard Shorter for his compassionate care of Hunter for many years as well as the Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care Teams and the staff at Four Seasons Pharmacy.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM from the Chapel of Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Dan Jividen and Sharon Blackwell officiating.  Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Princeton. Serving as pallbearers will be Bo Duggan, Dustin Duggan, Daniel Morrison, Michael Simmons, Craig Simmons, and Justin Robinson.  The family will receive friends at the funeral Home Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 11:00 AM until the service time.  Online condolences may be shared via www.memorialfd.com.  The Smith family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton.