Sondra Lee Smith Harlan

SONDRA LEE SMITH HARLAN passed away February 28, 2026. She was born July 17, 1940 in the small coal camp of Louise, WV to the late Samuel Collins Smith and Evelyn Leavitt Smith. She was the only sister to brothers Joseph Deskin, Kaye Deskin, and Samuel “Pete” Smith. She spent her childhood and school years living both at home in Louise and also with an aunt and uncle, Lester and Bessie Wilson, in Wellsburg. Sandy attended both Follansbee High School and Wellsburg High School, graduating in 1958 from Follansbee. During her school years she participated in the junior high band and attended dances; by her own report the boys in Phys. Ed. always chose her as a dance partner because she was the best dancer. But none of them won her heart like the “tall drink of water” named Lester. They met in the crib—he was three years old and she was three days old, she used to say. They grew up together as their families shared backyards and family life, and they married June 27, 1958, only weeks after Sandy’s graduation and weeks before her eighteenth birthday. A year later, the newlyweds welcomed their first baby girl and first grandchild on each side of the family, Tammy Sue. They set up housekeeping in downtown Follansbee and established their church home at Follansbee Church of Christ. A few years later, they welcomed home their only son, James Jeffrey, and purchased their lifelong home on Hooverson Heights. As their best and final act of procreation, they welcomed home the baby, Jill Denise, on a sunny day in May, completing their little family. Sandy was a true Proverbs 31 woman and took seriously her role as wife and mother, creating a safe and loving atmosphere for her husband and children and welcoming guests on a regular basis. She was a very active member of the church serving as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, craft lady, cook, and server for all church dinners. If you are still breathing then we’re sure you’ve eaten some of her cooking…. Marvelous meals of mostly meat and potatoes, always homemade gravy, and wonderful batches of thumbprint or pumpkin cookies at Christmas! And, if you’re not breathing, then she also probably baked you the infamous “Sandy Harlan funeral cake” in her massive cake pan…the question is, who baked hers?! Sandy was also a den mom with Cub Pack 55 and hosted young potential spouses for her daughter in their home on a weekly basis. She volunteered at Elkhorn Valley Church camp many summers and also canned jelly for the kitchen there. Her children grew and married. Tammy married Charles “Chuck” Moorhead and together they welcomed home their son, Ethan Jacob Moorhead. Jim grew and married Rebecca Samples and together they begot Jacob Stewart, Jared Spencer, Jordan Smith, and Bethany Danielle Harlan. Jared married Samantha Chynoweth and created Miss Avery Ann Harlan. Jordan wed Ariana Halbeisen and gave birth to Judson James and Joanna Joyce Harlan. Bethany wed the charming Edward “Tripp” Philpott, and together they welcomed home Hadley Joy; they will welcome their twin boys home sometime close to their great- grandma’s birthday this summer. Jill married Stan Poszywak and together they welcomed home Jaiden Nicholas, Faith Gabrielle (deceased), Samuel Alexander, Seth Michael, and Shaleigh Hope Poszywak. Jaiden has brought into the family Katie Polzer and their daughter, Aubrey Ann Poszywak. Sandy’s full joy was her children, but most especially her grandchildren! The older ones benefited from her daily love and attention and spent countless hours after school and on weekends at their grandma and grandpa’s house. The younger grandchildren loved visiting at holidays and in the summer to get all the hugs and eat all the food, one remarking, “No offense, Mom, but grandma is a way better cook than you!” Indeed. . . no offense taken! Sandy longed for Heaven and those she knew were waiting there! She missed her love of 61 years, her “James Lester.” He signed every card to her just that way, and he always called her “Punkin.” Their love and commitment to each other and their example of rock solid faith built for their family a lasting legacy. Reunited in Heaven with others she loved but deeply missed here already is our precious mom, grandma, grammy, “Gate Gamma,” Aunt Sandy, neighbor, and friend. Visitation for Sandy was held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 and again on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., with Pastor Dennis Arnold officiating at Mullenbach Funeral Home, Follansbee. Interment will follow at St. John Haven of Rest Cemetery, Colliers. Condolences may be left at www.mullenbachfh.com.