Heaven's gate opened wide on Monday, February 19, 2024, as Joe Emerson Smith entered into his Saviors presence. Joe was born December 31, 1939, in Charleston, WV, and was the only child of the late Emerson M. and Janet B. Sullivan Smith. Joe graduated from Charleston High School.  He enlisted in the Army and was honorably discharged after achieving Rank of Sargent. He  retired after 40 years with McJunkin Corporation and 10 years with Massey Energy. Joe enjoyed golf, woodworking in his shop, fishing at The Cherry Grove Pier in Myrtle Beach and camping.  He was the beloved husband of 61 years to Jean Evelyn (Harsanyi), father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Joe was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church and in his later years attended Immanuel Baptist Church. He is survived by his beautiful wife Jean E. (Harsanyi). Three children, Katherine Jean Trout (John) of Alderson, Mark Stephen (Dixie) of Wytheville, VA, and Jozett Janet Cooper (Brian) of Princeton. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jessica Sheets-Davis (Mike) of Princeton, JoAnna Brown (Cedric) of Myrtle Beach, SC, David Emerson Trout (Audra) of Lewisburg, WV, LeAnna Dawn Kyle (Mike) of Maysville, NC, Clay Madison Cooper of Princeton and Emma Jozett Cooper of Princeton, 10 great-grandchildren, and special cousins Billy and Carolyn Burgess, Kathy and Steve Moss, Eddie Kimball, Gayle Smith and Howard Smith Jr. Funeral services to celebrate the life of Joe Emerson Smith will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, in the Chapel of Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Dan Jividen officiating.  Burial will follow with military graveside rites by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.  Friends may visit with the family from Noon until the service hour at the funeral home. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Mercer Christian Academy Choir Trip, 314 Oakvale Road, Princeton, WV 24740. Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Smith, John D. Trout, Brian Cooper, David Trout, Clay Cooper, John Trout and Parker Sheets. Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com . The Smith family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.