The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, March 23, 1996               TAG: 9603230547
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Short :   27 lines

MERRILL R. SMITH

Merrill R. Smith, 77, of the 900 block of Earl of Essex Arch, died March 22, 1996.

Mr. Smith, a retired mining supervisor, was a long time resident of Welch, W.Va., and was a native of Thompson (NU)2, Pa. He was a Protestant and a member of the Masonic Order.

Survivors include his wife, Matha Jane Smith; two daughters, Deanna Runyon and her husband, Ira of Louisville, Ky., Lavon Ayers and her husband, Lee of Virginia Beach; a son, Douglas Smith and his wife, Kim of Virginia Beach; two sisters, Elizabeth Ann Smith of Nanty-Glo, Pa., Delores Spinos of Windber, Pa.; a brother, Melvin Smith of Binghamton, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

A viewing for the family and friends will be held today between 7 and 9 p.m. at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Neck Chapel. The funeral will be private on Sunday with burial to follow at Princess Anne Memorial Park.

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB