G. Wayne Smith 1920 – 2010
0005938386-01-1.jpg G. Wayne Smith, age 89, of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania died Friday, September 10, 2010 at his residence B o r n o n December 15, 1920 in Clarksburg, West Virginia he was the son of Gerald N. Smith and Eva Ruth Musser Smith.
He graduated from the Washington Irving High School at Clarksburg, West Virginia and Salem College in Salem, West Virginia and earned a Ph.D. in History from West Virginia University.
He served in the United States Naval Reserves during World War II.
Dr. Smith taught History at Marshall University, West Virginia University and at Fairmont State College.
He served as Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Professor of History at Waynesburg College from 1963 until his retirement in 1986.
Dr. Smith was a member of several professional and honorary associations.
He was the author of the two-volume “History of Greene County Pennsylvania” and also authored histories of the Post Offices of Greene County, the Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Company, and First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, among others.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg where he was a member of the choir and served as vice moderator and church historian. He served on several committees for the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Smith was a past President of both the Fairmont Rotary Club and the Waynesburg Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
He was honored in June 2004 by the Waynesburg Rotary Club with a Memory Medallion placed on the bronze plaque on the First National Bank Building in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.
He was the recipient of the 1998 Distinguished Service Award from the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
On August 24, 1952, he married P a t r i c i a A n n Williamson, who survives.
Also surviving are children: Leslie Smith Frank and her husband Dr. James Frank of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Donald H. Smith and his wife Susan of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Margaret S. Brackett and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Brackett of Muncie, Indiana, Gerald W. Smith Jr. and his wife Linda of Fairmont, West Virginia and Lawrence A. Smith and his wife Suzanne of Fairmont West Virginia; and eight grandchildren: John J. Demase, Margaux Frank, Alessandra Frank, James Frank, Emily Smith, Elena Smith, Sophia Smith and Claire Brackett.
Deceased are his parents; a granddaughter, Laura Smith Marlowe; two brothers, Harold A. Smith and Carper Smith; and sister, Geraldine Muscari.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at BEHM FUNERAL HOMES INC., 182 West High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370 (724.627.3155).
Services will be held 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 303 West High Street, Waynesburg with Rev. Dr. Donald Wilson officiating.
Interment will follow at Broad Run Baptist Church Cemetery, Jane Lew, West Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Waynesburg University at 51 West College Street (1.800.225.7393) or to the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg.
Condolences may be offered at www.-behmfuneralhomes.net