Smith

PARKERSBURG — The Cardinal Memorial Scholarship in Honor of Joe E. Smith was created at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation to honor the late Joe E. Smith.

Smith, a well-loved Parkersburg native, was intelligent, witty, loving, faithful, kind and unforgettable, the foundation said. He was devoted to his wife Sherry, his sons Ryan (Ashley) and Zac and his grandchildren, Nola Rosie and Jonah. He loved his family beyond measure, the foundation said.

Smith grew up in Parkersburg and graduated from Parkersburg High School and Marshall University. He worked 37 years for Wood County Schools as a teacher, school counselor, service personal facilitator and tester and director of the Caperton Center for Applied Technology. He was involved in his church and community through coaching sports teams, leading church youth groups, tutoring disadvantaged students and counseling kids from troubled circumstances.

When Smith passed away in February of COVID-19 pneumonia at the age of 68, his family was unable to completely celebrate his life because of community health concerns with the disease. The Cardinal Memorial was established out of his family’s unending love, devotion, and desire to commemorate his life.

“A brilliant red cardinal landed in the empty hallway of Parkersburg South High School on a sunny Saturday afternoon in May,” said Sherry Smith. “The cardinal allowed my son and granddaughter to pick him up, gently stroke his feathers and release him into the great outdoors where he flew away peacefully. This meaningful and heartwarming symbol of the red cardinal’s visit is a gentle reminder that, in spirit, we are never far apart from those we love. The Cardinal Memorial was then created from this encounter to celebrate the life of a truly wonderful person.”

The Cardinal Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg South High School or Williamstown High School who plans to pursue a degree in education and share their love for learning.

The fund will make its first award in spring of 2022.

To make a tax-deductible donation in memory of Joe E. Smith, send a check made payable to the PACF with “Cardinal Memorial” on the memo line to: PACF, PO Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV 26102. Donations may also be made online at www.pacfwv.com/donate.

For information, call the foundation at 304 428-4438.