OBITUARY
Joan Smeltzer
February 8, 1943 – January 2, 2021
Joan Roberta Largent Smeltzer, 77 of Martinsburg, passed away on January 2, 2021.
Born on February 8, 1943 in Christiansburg, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late John J. and Bethel McKinney Largent. Joan earned her Masters Degree in Education at West Virginia University. Throughout the years she taught at Martinsburg High School, Potomac State College of WVU, Hagerstown Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, and Shenandoah University. Joan enjoyed working and gardening at the family farm in Hampshire County and she had a special love for cats. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ronald L. Smeltzer; her daughter, Lynne Smeltzer; and her brother, John R. Largent and his wife, Kay. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Berkeley County Humane Society. Condolences can be sent to www.rosedalefuneral.com
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
Memories
Joan Smeltzer
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYNancy Albert
January 13, 2021
At Lord Fairfax Community College we all loved and respected Joan! She was a terrific colleague and a mentor to new teachers. She will be missed by so very many who had the privilege to know and work with her.
John Largent
January 12, 2021
I loved my sister. We grew up together and attended school and college together. We took care of the old home place together. We had many family outings together with family and friends. She will be missed.
John Adams
January 10, 2021
Well she has been a mother, a teacher and wife
We'll remember always
Through the strength of her life
She will burn with a light of her own
We'll miss you Mrs. Joan
John Adams
January 10, 2021
Mrs. Smeltzer was the most significant teacher I 3ver had. She instilled and encouraged me with a love of reading and writing I will cary with me always. I very glad I had the opportunity to tell her that directly some time ago. Thoughts and prayers to her Family, friends, and former students.
John Adams
Christina (Barnes) Bayes
January 9, 2021
I wanted to send condolences to the family, especially Lynne. Your mom was my high school literature teacher. I admired her so much for her passion for reading and her gentle heart. She was so kind, and she left a lasting impression on me. I’m sending prayers to your family.
Davi Lang Kaercher
January 8, 2021
I have very fond memories of my senior year English class. She expected out best work and made class enjoyable. Good literature was always present in the classroom. There was always a book on her desk that she was reading. A wonderful role model for each of us. Leslie I remember your most embarrassing moment. As I remember Patty and I were trying not to laugh and not having much success.
Earl Santymire
January 8, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Smeltzer's family. She was my senior English teacher at Martinsburg Senior High School. I have fond memories of her class and used some of the teaching methods she used in my teaching career, especially the independent study unit guidelines.
Trent Dearing
January 8, 2021
Condolences and prayers to the family. She was a fine teacher and a very nice lady.
Lynne Smeltzer
January 7, 2021
Mrs. Smeltzer was 100 % committed to being an educator. Teaching was her love and she touched many lives including my Father and myself. The greatest honor is that, above all, she was my teacher as well and I am the only person who can call her Mom.
How Caton
January 7, 2021
I am so sad at the passing of my lovely cousin, Joan. My heartfelt condolences to Ron, Lynne, John Robert, and Kay.
Will Bonifant
January 6, 2021
I am very sad to hear of the passing of Ms. Smeltzer. She was a great teacher from my 9th/10th grade years in English, and was someone whose value on my learning I did not appreciate fully until much later in my life. Ms. Smeltzer truly impressed on me the value of English and Literature and the importance it plays in our being good people. She was patient and kind with her students, and looked past the maturity of those typical high school aged boys who think they "know it all." I am grateful for everything that she taught me, and I know that she will be missed by many. God bless, and rest in peace Ms. Smeltzer.
Leslie McDonald Stilwell
January 6, 2021
Mrs Smeltzer was my senior English teacher. I loved her class and always remembered her as one of my favorite teachers. She also created my most embarrassing memory as a senior when she loudly explained castration to me in front of the entire class while I was at her desk. I tried to hide! We had been reading Candid!
Prayers to her family.