Lester Archer Smith Jr

Lester Archer Smith Jr. was born September 27, 1950 in Wheeling WV to the late Lester Archer and Elizabeth Boll Smith. Les grew up on the outskirts of Wheeling, attending Corpus Christi Catholic Church with his family and graduating from Warwood High School in 1968. From there he attended West Virginia University and graduated with an education degree from West Liberty State College.

Les began his teaching career at Triadelphia High School in Wheeling. It was while there that he became involved in the youth ministry of Young Life, where he met his future wife Jan and also where he met God in a way that would change his life eternally.

After they were married Les and Jan lived in Morgantown WV working on Masters Degrees at WVU, and then Clifton Forge VA, Pittsburgh PA, and Sistersville WV where he was a middle school principal. In 1980 they settled in Martinsburg WV where he and Jan raised 3 children. He reached out to young people working at James Rumsey Technical Institute, the Job Training Partnership Act, and then as a professional school counselor for 35 years at Hedgesville, Musselman, and primarily Martinsburg High School.

Les followed a calling and made a commitment to serve his country and at the age of 34 joined the 167th Air National Guard, attending boot camp with men half his age. He went on to serve in places like Antarctica, Saudia Arabia, and Iraq. This was all done while battling head and neck cancer and dealing with hip, knee, and shoulder replacements.

Les was a runner with dozens of marathons and 13 JFK 50 milers to his credit, a fisherman and a fisher of men - Mark 1:17, a biker, a backpacker having traversed 3/4 of the Appalachian Trail, a coach, husband, son, brother and dad. Above all was Les's commitment in the service of his Lord God. He served through his mission of Young Life, the Kairos prison ministry, volunteering at hospice, the VA, and Trinity Episcopal Church, the Good Samaritan Free Clinic, and CCAP. Les truly lived out Jesus' calling in Matthew 25:40; ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Les is survived by Jan, his wife of 46 years; his daughter, Sarah Queen (Wes) of Raleigh NC; two sons: Nate (Kara) of Charles Town WV, and Aaron currently of Morgantown WV; as well as five wonderful grandchildren: Nim, Ellie, and Nora Smith, and Bella and Avery Queen. He is also survived by a beloved sister, Mary Julia Smith of Philadelphia PA; and mother-in-law, Dottie Ingram of Dunedin FL; as well as many cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

There will be a visitation Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 2-5PM at Rosedale Funeral Home, 917 Cemetery Rd. Martinsburg WV. Masks are preferred but not mandatory. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 2PM at The Church at Martinsburg, 50 Monroe St Martinsburg WV. Private graveside services will be held in Rosedale Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow sometime later this spring.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the following:

Young Life: Checks made out to Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, Young Life in the memo, sent to 229 E Martin St Suite 4 Martinsburg WV 25401 or online at https://www.ewvcf.org/become-a-donor/ and select Eastern Panhandle Young Life Fund in the "specific fund" drop down menu.

Kairos Internation Prison Ministry: https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/ donations to Maryland or West Virginia, in his memory, or feel free to help someone in need, in Les's memory. We are all more blessed than we deserve.

Online condolences can be sent to www.RosedaleFuneral.com