Obituary

Herman G. Canady, Jr., was born on December 18, 1936, in Charleston, WV, the second child of Dr. Herman George Canady, Ph.D., and Julia Witten Canady. He departed this life on June 12, 2024, at the age of 87.

Herman married the love of his life, Barbara, almost 59 years ago. They had three daughters.

Judge Canady attended State High School in Institute, WV. Canady was the first African American student to attend Charleston High School. He obtained a B.A. from Northwestern University and a law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law where he was the second African American student to graduate.

He was the first African American lawyer to work for the Legal Aid Society of Charleston, representing low-income clients. Before being appointed to the bench, Judge Canady was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Kanawha County. During his years as an attorney, he practiced before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Canady was appointed to the position of Circuit Judge of Kanawha County by then Governor Jay Rockefeller in March 1982. Judge Canady was the first African American to hold that position. Canady was elected to the position in 1984, 1992 and in 2000. He was selected as the Chief Judge in the Circuit by his colleagues in 1989 and served in that capacity again in 1998. He also sat by special assignment on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Supreme Court of Appeals. He was well respected and thoughtful, and served with distinction, treating everyone with civility and respect. He always carried a concern for the less fortunate. Judge Canady retired in 2002, taking the position of Senior Status Judge. He was also a mediator.

Judge Canady served on the boards of Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Charleston, and the West Virginia Society for the Blind and Severely Disabled. He was a lifelong member of the NAACP. He received the “Fairest Judge” award from the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association for 1985-1986 and was president of the West Virginia Judicial Association in 2001. He was inducted into the West Virginia State University ROTC Hall of Fame as an Honorary Member and was a 2005 West Virginia Civil Rights Day honoree. He was also a member of the fraternities, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi (Boulé).

Judge Canady was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Joyce Anna Canady Carter. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Barbara; daughters, Cheryl Canady, Dottie Teraberry (Peter) and Jacqueline Nicole Canady; granddaughter, Zora Teraberry; brother-in-law, A. Stanley Loundmon; nephews, Theodore N. Carter (Terrie) and Keith Loundmon, as well as a host of other relatives, friends and admirers.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 432 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston,

Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judge Canady’s name to West Virginia State College and HospiceCare.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements of Judge Canady.