Howard Lewis Smith, age 89, of 4891 State Route 93 North, Oak Hill, Ohio, died peacefully Jan. 25, 2017. Born April 1, 1927, in Alkol, West Virginia, he was the son of Charles and Dollie (Vickers) Smith.
A graduate of Marshall University, he was a lifelong educator. His career started as a teacher at Duval High School in Griffithsville, West Virginia, then as teacher, eighth-grade basketball coach, and reserve basketball coach in the Jackson City Schools System. He served as principal of the Oak Hill High School and superintendent of the Oak Hill Union Local School District and was the Jackson County Superintendent of Schools, retiring in 1996 as one of the longest serving public school superintendents in the state’s history.
He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving in World War II in the European Theater of Operations and, for a brief period, during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Oak Hill and the Portland Lodge F&AM.
Howard is survived by his son, Barry Lewis Smith of Jackson, his granddaughter, Jillian Smith Brandstetter of Cincinnati, and their spouses, Marsha Lloyd Smith and Paul Gordon Brandstetter; sister, Betty Pauley, brothers, Charles and Roe Smith, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances Carnell (Chandler) Smith; his son, Bruce David Smith; his parents; sister, Goldie Smith; and brother, Harry Smith.
Graveside service was held Jan. 28, 2017, at the Oak Hill C.M. Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 227 Monroe Street, Oak Hill, Ohio 45656.