Kenneth Smith

Kenneth Smith, affectionately called, "Kenny" or "Smitty", son of the late George Lee Smith and Alice Olivia Smith Coleman, was born on September 28, 1940 in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Our beloved Kenneth's spirit returned to our Lord on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 6:50 am in Room #5 South Wing at Community Memorial HealthCenter in South Hill, Virginia. Kenneth confessed his faith in Christ and joined First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville at an early age and later joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in Chase City, Virginia. His father died at an early age and each child grew up with the love and support of a strong loving mother, a devoted stepfather, the late, Ramond Coleman, and the extended family from Railroad Street in Lawrenceville, VA. Kenneth finished James Solomon Russell High School as Salutatorian. He received his B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and his M.S. Degree in Administration and Supervision  from Virginia State University. He taught at Chase City Elementary for three years before taking a principalship at Central Elementary School in Boydton, Virginia. (Later Central became Boydton Primary and later Boydton Elementary School.) He then was promoted to Coordinator of the Title I Program in the county. He was known by some to be a troubleshooter for improvement in Mecklenburg County, as he returned to a principalship at Chase City Elementary. After working for a few years he went back into the Central Office as the Director of Federal Projects for the county. During this time he established the first early childhood learning program in Mecklenburg known as the "Kids on Wheels Program". Parents of children enrolled in this program would bring their children to this classroom on wheels which traveled to several schools and contained a refrigerator, a microwave oven, shelves for belongings, tables, chairs, and many technologies to assist the learning environment. This program was very successful in providing our children with an excellent start before other early educational programs became available. Kenneth loved the challenges of his work and was always willing to go that extra mile for the benefit of others. He placed Channel One in every classroom at the middle and high schools in Mecklenburg County so that young people could have access and expand their knowledge with the latest news around the world. He purchased the first fax machine for the central office and loved to update equipment for all the schools. He was in contact with Lisa Ling's mom at the World Trade Towers constantly as he conducted the Title I business to provide better services to the administration, teachers, and students of Mecklenburg County. He always fought to keep band and music programs in the system, because he knew that students needed an outlet and that international language connection. He enjoyed working on the Boydton Day Committee each year, for this joyous event, "Boydton Day" brought thousands of people to our county seat. He has always stood up for what is right and spoke out when the need was present, no matter what environment he happened to be in. He would talk to Joan Lunden of ABC to express his views and question things. (She was his favorite anchorlady.) She sent him an autographed picture before they started printing generic pictures. He would call the White House to talk about the affairs of the nation and express his views. After twenty-seven years in education, he was fortunate to have the age and experience required to take the early retirement plan with full benefits enstated by Governor Doug Wilder's administration in 1991. Early in life he expressed a reluctance to fly, but had fun flying around the country as his daughter's educational experiences took the family to many places. He enjoyed retirement until his health began to fail him about four years ago. Even in his bout with kidney failure, he has continued to teach us all, keeping his quick responses and his sense of humor as he has kept everyone on their toes. Those left to cherish his love and memories are: his devoted wife, Gloria Davis Smith, of the home at 995 Highway 92 in Boydton,Virginia, two children, Angela Denise Smith of Tulalip, Washington, and Ronnie Lamont Smith of Boydton; a devoted mother, Alice Olivia Smith Coleman (97 years old), of Freeman, VA.; one sister, Agnes Smith Land (Willie), Lawrenceville, VA.; five brothers, George Randolph Smith "Billy" (Vasche), of Lawrenceville, VA.; Frank Smith (Abradella)of Chadbourn, N.C.; Oris "Al" Smith (Betty), of Fort Washington, MD.; Freddie Lee Smith (Patsy), of Dumfries, VA.; and Lenwood Coleman (Brenda) of Lawrenceville; a devoted mother-in-law, Eva S. Davis, who resides in their home; two sisters-in-law, Eva D. Graves (Floyd) of Danville, VA; Janice D. Edwards (Michael) of Kent, Washington; one brother-in-law,Curtis Davis of Danville, VA; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and neighbors. Also, Kenny had fond memories of his deceased brother-in-law, Oakley Davis, Jr. (Janie) whom he loved as a brother. A memorial service for Mr. Kenneth Smith will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, August 9, 2009 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 107 West Fifth Street, Chase City, VA with Rev. Dr. Ricky A. Lee, officiating. Inurnment will take place at Crestview Memorial Park, South Hill, VA. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:30 P.M. until service time. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service 1304 North Main St., Chase City, VA.                               Memorial Donations may be directed to the following : Bethlehem Baptist Church Scholarship Fund 107 West Fifth Street Chase City, Virginia 23924 The Leggett Center 300 E. Ferrell St. South Hill, Virginia 23970 National Kidney Foundation Serving Virginia 1742 E Parham Rd Richmond, Virginia 23228-2202 American Heart Association 4217 Park Place Court Glen Allen, Virginia, 23060