James C. Smith, 84, of Martinsburg, former County Superintendent of Berkeley Co. Schools and past County Commissioner, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 following a short heart illness. Jim was born on February 17, 1933, in Cedarville, WV to parents Myrtle and Clavel Smith.

He graduated from Normantown High School in 1952 (Gilmer Co.); Glenville State College in 1956 (Glenville, WV) with a degree in Elementary Education, English and Social Studies; and with a Masters of Arts & Education Administration 1961 from Marshall University (Huntington, WV). Jim began his career in education at Edgewood Acres Elementary in Kanawha County in a 5th grade class for 1958; he was then principal & 6th grade teacher at Valley Grove School from 1958-1962; in the fall of 1962 he transitioned into the Kanawha County School Board office as Director of Pupil Services and was there until 1964 when he moved to the position of Assistant Superintendent over personnel. In 1972 he moved his family to Berkeley County to serve as County Superintendent through 1980. He and his wife returned to the Charleston area in January 1980 to accept the job as Assistant State Superintendent in the Bureau of Finance & Administration with the WV Department of Education. He became the Deputy State Superintendent of Schools in September 1985 until retiring in December 1988. During his time in Kanawha County he was an Adjunct Professor at Marshall University and WV College of Graduate Studies, Institute, WV.

After retiring back to Berkeley County, he was elected to the county Commission in 1992 until 1998. During these years he served on the: East Ridge Mental Health Board, Sewer Board, Health Board, Fire Board Ambulance Board, Region 9 Board, Planning Commission, Development Authority, Regional Jail Authority and Roundhouse Authority (Vice President). Jim has received many community service awards over the years.

Additional activities Jim participated in over the years were: Talk Show Host at WRNR (1990-1992); Lions Club; Rotary; Norwalk Antique Car Club; BCA of Retired Educators; Executive Committee of Eastern Panhandle Training Center; and the L. Norman Dillon Farm Museum. He attended the First Presbyterian Church of Martinsburg, where he had served as teacher for the high school class, as Sunday School Superintendent and as an Elder.

CPL James C. Smith served in the United States Army on active duty from the summer of 1953 to June 1955 in a Military Police Squad stationed at Fort Crowder, MO. He was the "Ready Reserve" until June 1959 and Honorably Discharged from "Stand BY" status in July of 1961.

He is survived and missed by his wife of 64 years, Patsy Ann Connolly Smith; one son, William C. "Bill" Smith of Berkeley Springs; one daughter, Sherry Ann Smith Campbell and husband Danny of Bunker Hill; Five grandchildren, Kenneth L. Campbell II and wife Tabi of Inwood, Joshua D. Campbell of Harriman, NY; Andrew C. Smith of Elkins, WV; James R. "Jimmy" Smith of Martinsburg, and Elizabeth V. Campbell Jenkins and husband Rodney of Martinsburg; two great-grandsons: Brody M. Campbell, and Thor A. Smith, and three great -granddaughters Amelia, Rivers, and Rain Jenkins; three brothers, Gary Gene Smith (Wilma) of Weston, WV; David Lane Smith (Mary Lou) of Cedarville, WV: Robert Lynn Smith (LaWayne) of Marietta, OH; and one sister, Mary Ann Atha (Jim) of Morgantown. There are numerous nieces and nephews as well. He was predeceased by his parents and one brother-in-law, Edgar L. Moss.

Viewing and visitation will be on Friday December 8, 2017 from 3:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-9:00PM as well as one hour before the service on Saturday. The service will be held at South Berkeley Chapel of Brown Funeral Home in Inwood on Saturday morning, December 9, 2017 at 10:00 with Rev. Rufus Burton officiating. Interment will be in Rosedale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Kenny Campbell, Joshua Campbell, Jimmy Smith, Ricky Smith, Jordi Smith and Rodney Jenkins.

In lieu of of flowers, memorials may be made to the L. Norman Dillon Farm Museum, PO Box 2731, Martinsburg, WV 25402 or to the Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian Church, 220 S. Queen St. Martinsburg, WV 25401.

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