Pearl Marie Smith

Mrs. Pearl Marie (Ash) Smith (85) of Arnett, West Virginia, passed away February 18, 2015 at a hospice in Huntington, West Virginia, following a long illness. Marie was born June 6, 1929 at Montcoal, West Virginia. She was the oldest child born to Leslie and Pearl Ash. Marie grew-up in both West Virginia and Kentucky attending Marsh Fork High School and Olive Hill High School. Marie graduated from Olive Hill High School in 1946. It was in Olive Hill, Kentucky that Marie met the love of her life--George David Smith. In 1946, after George returned from serving in World War II, George and Marie were married over the Christmas holidays. It was a wonderful marriage which lasted 65 years. During the first three years of their marriage, Marie and George lived and worked in Mansfield, Ohio. Then in 1949, Marie persuaded George to come to West Virginia where George worked at Edwight, Kopperston, and Harris Mines. In 1951, Marie and George purchased land from Fred Massey in Arnett and built a pretty home where they lived for six decades. It was there in Arnett, that Marie and George raised a family. Marie was a quick minded, energetic, excellent mother. She raised three children who all graduated from college, and this was mainly due to her encouragement and high expectations. Marie poured her time, love, and effort into her family. During the weekdays, evenings at the Smith home were time to study, read; and complete homework assignments. When Marie’s children were involved in extracurricular activities, she was always right there in the stands supporting them. Later in life, she was proud that two of her children became school teachers, and one became an engineer. Also, she was a loving and encouraging wife to George and a very clean, particular manager of her home. She was generous and treated everyone well. The Smith home in Arnett was where children came to play and sleep over during the summers. There were good neighbors, lots of clean fun, and much happiness. Marie is preceded in death by George Smith (husband) and Leslie Smith Lancaster (daughter), Pearl Ash (mother), Leslie Ash (father), Mary Taylor (sister), and JoAnn Milam (sister). Marie is survived by one brother (Earl Ash and wife Patricia), one daughter (Karen Evans and husband Larry), and one son (George David Smith, Jr. and wife Susan). She is also survived by three grandchildren (Toni Lancaster Anderer, Serena Smith, and Tiffany Smith) and one great grandchild (Jack Cruz Anderer). Visitation will be Thursday February 26th from 6-8 at the funeral home Services will be 2:00 Friday February 27th with pastor Michael Knotts officiating In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House 3100 Staunton Road Hunington, WV 25702 Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive Beckley WV 25801