Obituary

After a well lived and cherished life of 85 years Keith Calhoun Smith passed away in the early morning stillness of March 2, 2025. His loving wife Mary Jo of 60 years was with him.

Keith was born on January 19, 1940, in Hutton Valley, Missouri, to Herbert and Clairsse Smith. He was the youngest of five children.

He attended Glenville State College, where he met his wife, Mary Jo Nocida, and earned his AB degree in biology. There, he was a four-year Letterman in football and went on to play semi -professional football for the Wheeling Ironmen. He received his Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Toledo and earned his Ph.D. in Guidance and Counseling in Education change from Ohio State University, while working at the West Virginia State Department of Education. Later he became the Assistant State Superintendent of West Virginia schools. Through his dedication to children in West Virginia schools, he received the prestigious Leader of Learning Award. Throughout his career, he supervised the development of two major grants that resulted in more than $9 million in funding for education, oversaw the operation of two schools for severely handicapped students and seven schools and Correctional Facilities. Upon retirement from the West Virginia Department of Education, Keith worked with the National Science Foundation’s Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative designed to improve science, mathematics and technology education in rural communities.

While working full time to improve education in the state, Keith started a cleaning business that employed special-needs adults and helped to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. He also enjoyed spending time with his cherished friend and colleague, Jim Snyder, working side-by-side on the building of the Celebration Station community playground, one of Jim’s many passion projects. He loved sports and for over a decade, he coached youth competitive club soccer and was named the West Virginia Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. He greatly enjoyed playing tennis with his wife and family and was a fierce competitor at the Charleston Public Courts Tournament for many years. He was also an avid golfer and volunteered regularly at the Greenbrier Classic Golf Tournament, one of the highlights of his year. As an avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with many friends and family and loved watching sports on TV and cheering on his West Virginia teams. “Go Mountaineers!”

Over the years, he was active at both Sacred Heart and Saint Agnes parishes and volunteered and attended church regularly with his family.

Keith was a lifelong educator, both professionally and in his personal life, working tirelessly to improve education for West Virginia’s children, youth and adults. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, a friend you could call for help in the light of a beautiful summer day or in the middle of a dark cold winter night. He was a spiffy dresser, a hat, man, a great dancer, always said a proper southern “please” and “thank you,” loved homemade cookies and milk, and read the Bible front to back. Taking care of , and spending time with his family and extended family was, by far, most important in his life.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother Herbert “Bud” Smith, sister and brother-in-law Wanda and John Earls, beloved father-in-law and mother-in-law Carmelo and Josephine Nocida, brother-in-law Gene Maston, and nephews John Bishop, Scotty Earls and Paul Nocida.

Keith is survived by his wife Mary Jo, daughter Julie Potter, son Michael and his wife Jenna, grandsons Brett Potter and his wife Emma and Thomas Smith, sister Alleene Bishop, brothers-in-law Domenick Nocida, Louie Nocida and his wife Joyce and John Flint, sisters-in-law Mildred Short, Frances Curry, Grace Maston and Cathy Flint, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Keith’s family wishes to extend very special heart-felt gratitude to Albert Runyon, who was not only Keith’s caregiver, but our family’s calm in the storm. He brought laughter and joy, along with each of his numerous visits. Albert was truly our angel.

The family is immensely thankful for the excellent care and support from Dr. Adele Aziz, Hospice nurses and staff, and Arthur B, Hodges’ nurses, CNAs, and staff, who brought great comfort to Keith and his family.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, West Virginia, with the Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs and Rev. Rayappa Kurakula concelebrant. A private interment will take place at the Shinnston Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please make kind donations to an organization that has helped you during difficult times.

Condolences may be sent to Keith’s family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.