Frank Allen Smith
30 June 1896 - 22 Jan 1954
The following information was provided by April Christofferson - Thank you, April for your contribution to the family history website.
Frank was the son of John Perry Smith and Loulia Brennetta Allen Smith.
Frank Allen Smith was married to Ella LaVera Peterson. They did have 10 children.
1. Loulia Jane SMITH Born March 28, 1917 / Died February 10, 1920
2. Elizabeth L. (Smith) Joyner Born Jul. 1, 1919 / died Mar. 22, 2008
3. William Frank Smith Born Jun 16, 1921 / died May 10, 1992
4. Berneice Smith Born March 29, 1923 / died September 5 1931
5. Lewis John Smith Born April 30, 1925 / died March 21, 1945
6. Bernetta (Smith) Tesconi Born June 10, 1929 / died June 23, 1989
7. Parley Smith Born Feb 12, 1932 / died Jan 21, 1996
8. James Lemon Smith Born October 27, 1933 / died August 1980
9. Mae (Smith) Cover Born / Died
10. Male child died in childbirth in Sedro Woolley WA
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Frank Allen Smith was married to Ella La Vera Peterson. They had (ten?) children, I know some of the names: Beth, Bill, Jim, Lewis, May and Brennetta. I don't have much history on this family. If anyone can add to what I have, please send the information to me. history@auntroma.com __________________________________________________________________________
The following is a photo of their son, Lewis. Lewis was killed in Iwo Jima during WWII.
Just prior to Lewis's death, he wrote a letter to his Aunt Maggie Byington.
Maggie received the letter... one week after Lewis was killed.
Lewis John Smith
30 Apr 1925 - 21 Mar 1945
The letter
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Aunt Maggie, this is a spare sheet with a little poem on it.
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It isn't much but it explains how and what a man feels and thinks of out here when he is on the line laying in a fox hole.
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I got this out of a newspaper. It was found in a foxhole in Africa. Nobody knows who wrote it. I think you will like it to.
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Stay with me, God. The night is dark
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The night is cold. My little spark
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of courage dies. The night is long.
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Be with me, God, and make me strong.
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I hate the dark, I love the light
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(I love my child, I love my wife)---- for a married man.
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I am no coward, but I love life.
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Life, with it's change of mood and shade,
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I want to live, I'm not afraid;
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But me and mine are hard to part -
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I know that death is but a door.
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I know what we are fighting for;
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Peace for the kids, our brothers freed,
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a kinder world, a cleaner breed.
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I'm but the son my mother bore,
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A simple man and nothing more.
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but, God of strength and gentleness;
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Be pleased to make me nothing less.
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Help me, O God when death is near,
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To mock the haggard face of fear.
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That when I fall-if fall I must-
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My soul may triumph in the dust.
That's it short but true. I think its the best poem I ever heard.
- Lewis Smith sent this to Maggie where he was in Iwo Jima and he was killed there a week later.
- (hand written at the bottom of the letter in red ink.)
Here is a copy of the actual letter.
