Elbert T. Smith

Elbert Thurmond Smith Jr. 81 of Whitman went home to be with the Lord at 12:30 A.M. on Sunday May 24, 2009 at Logan Regional Medical Center. He was born June 11, 1927 in Logan County. He was the son of the late Goldie Perry Smith and Elbert Thurmond Smith of Logan. Also precedeing him in death were his sisters Helen Smith Ferzacca, Marie Smith Childers and brother Joseph Smith. He is survived by One Living Sister Edna Lucille Smith (Rex) Browning of Logan. He graduated from Logan Senior High School in 1945 where he was a member of the all amle band where he played trumpet and base horn. Elbert worked for the City of Logan Water Board (Old Pure Water Co.) for 64 years. He was Water Certified with the State Water Board of WV and was a certified bacteriologist and certified in Decontaminated Water. He served as plant operator for many years. He designed the purification report that the Sate of WV utilized for their record system. Elbert was chosen to be included in the 1992 edition of Who's Who Environmental Registry. This unique edition, published by Citation Directors Ltd., in cooperation in Environmental Careers magazine is the only publication providing exclusive in depth biographical coverage of the men and women helping to shape the environmental profession. Over the years, the word's " Who's Who" have become synonymous with acknowledging individual achievement in public and private life. Who's Who Environmental Registry chronicles achievevments of environmental professionals in science, research, engineering, academia, business and management. Survivors include his wife (Rachel) Joyce Justice Smith, Two Daughters: Julia Smith (Michael) Crum of Charleston and Linad Kay (Donald) Ashworth of Cross Lanes, 3 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren, 4 Step Grandchildren and 7 Step Great Grandchildren. Elbert was a member of the Logan Church of the Nazarene for 60 years. During that time he served in many capacities, served on the Church Board, sang in and lead the Church Choir, lead congragational singing, lead Prayer Meetings, organized Bible School School Progarms, Head Usher for many yaers, took inventory when Church burned, served on various committees, taught every children's Sunday School Class except the nursery class, taught adult classes, coached Church League Basketball and pitched on Church Slow Pitch Softball team and coaced the taeam as well as being the captain of the Church bowling team for a number of years. He was responsible for bringing many children to Church before there was a bus route. In 1984 he was sellected as Father of the Year by the Church. In 1993 he and his wife Joyce were honored with the distinguished Service Award. When the new kitchen was built on to the Church it was named for Elbert T. Smith and Asbury Chrislip that both loved to cook and serve breakfast to the men in the Church. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday May 27, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at the Logan Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Larry Cale officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery at Pecks Mill. Visitation will be after 6:00 P.M.Tuesday May 26, 2009 at the Church. Family and Friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to www.jamesfh.com James Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements