Obituary for Barbara Jean Smith (Witt)
Barbara Jean Witt Smith, 78, of Elkview went home to be her Lord and Savior,
Wednesday, January 2, 2019, after a short battle due to an unexpected health event at
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene R. and Anna E. Blake Witt.
Barbara was born in Gatewood, WV and raised in Smoot, WV. She was a Registered
Nurse after she graduated at the top of her class from both Smoot High School and Charleston
General School of Nursing.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend with
big, sparkling blue-eyes, Barbara added beauty to the lives of those who knew her. Many
things come to mind when remembering and celebrating Barbara’s life, including her silliness
that was always there just waiting to make everyone laugh. She loved gardening and took great
pride in the plants and flowers that always accented her home and yard. Barbara also shared
her many talents with family and friends, including her creative sewing and needlework,
decorative cakes, and heart-felt poetry. Barbara’s great love for her cats and all creatures will
be remembered by those who knew her best, from the hummingbirds she fed every year to the
countless stray or hurt animals that found their way to her door.
Barbara’s true passion was music. She taught herself to play the piano at a young age
by drawing the piano keys on a slate chalk board and later became an accomplished musician.
She volunteered her musical talents by playing and singing for many church services,
programs, weddings, and funerals. She also served as the director for various children and
adult choirs throughout the years. Heaven surely gained a very special angel who will watch
over her family and is now singing and praising her Heavenly Father in the most glorious choir.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, James C. (Jim) Smith; children:
Jamie, Maria (Elio), George (Trina), Anita (John); grandchildren: DJ (Bethany), Breana (Jay),
Arianna, Alberto, Riccardo, Lorenzo, Claire, Elle, Grace, Ava; great-grandchildren: Reagan,
Theo, and Martin; and sister, Louise. She is also survived by a nephew and several nieces.
The family would like to thank nurse Brittany Tucker at the Cleveland Clinic. She was a
true angel that was a blessing not only to Barbara, but to all of us that had the privilege of
coming in contact with her.
Service will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Elkview Baptist Church with
Pastor Charles Bias, Pastor Lee Swor and Pastor David Keeney officiating. A private family
graveside service will be held following the funeral service.
Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019 at Elkview Baptist Church,
1150 Main Street, Elkview.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elkview Baptist Church, 1150 Main Street,
Elkview, WV 25071 or to Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier Street,
Charleston, WV 25311.
Online condolences may be sent to www.haferfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are in the care of Hafer Funeral Home, 50 North Pinch Road, Elkview
Wednesday, January 2, 2019, after a short battle due to an unexpected health event at
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene R. and Anna E. Blake Witt.
Barbara was born in Gatewood, WV and raised in Smoot, WV. She was a Registered
Nurse after she graduated at the top of her class from both Smoot High School and Charleston
General School of Nursing.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend with
big, sparkling blue-eyes, Barbara added beauty to the lives of those who knew her. Many
things come to mind when remembering and celebrating Barbara’s life, including her silliness
that was always there just waiting to make everyone laugh. She loved gardening and took great
pride in the plants and flowers that always accented her home and yard. Barbara also shared
her many talents with family and friends, including her creative sewing and needlework,
decorative cakes, and heart-felt poetry. Barbara’s great love for her cats and all creatures will
be remembered by those who knew her best, from the hummingbirds she fed every year to the
countless stray or hurt animals that found their way to her door.
Barbara’s true passion was music. She taught herself to play the piano at a young age
by drawing the piano keys on a slate chalk board and later became an accomplished musician.
She volunteered her musical talents by playing and singing for many church services,
programs, weddings, and funerals. She also served as the director for various children and
adult choirs throughout the years. Heaven surely gained a very special angel who will watch
over her family and is now singing and praising her Heavenly Father in the most glorious choir.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, James C. (Jim) Smith; children:
Jamie, Maria (Elio), George (Trina), Anita (John); grandchildren: DJ (Bethany), Breana (Jay),
Arianna, Alberto, Riccardo, Lorenzo, Claire, Elle, Grace, Ava; great-grandchildren: Reagan,
Theo, and Martin; and sister, Louise. She is also survived by a nephew and several nieces.
The family would like to thank nurse Brittany Tucker at the Cleveland Clinic. She was a
true angel that was a blessing not only to Barbara, but to all of us that had the privilege of
coming in contact with her.
Service will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Elkview Baptist Church with
Pastor Charles Bias, Pastor Lee Swor and Pastor David Keeney officiating. A private family
graveside service will be held following the funeral service.
Visitation will be 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2019 at Elkview Baptist Church,
1150 Main Street, Elkview.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elkview Baptist Church, 1150 Main Street,
Elkview, WV 25071 or to Kanawha Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier Street,
Charleston, WV 25311.
Online condolences may be sent to www.haferfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are in the care of Hafer Funeral Home, 50 North Pinch Road, Elkview