Jill Suzanne Smith, 44, of Sumerco, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at home. She resided in Sumerco at the home of her parents. She was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church and a student of the Special Needs Adult Program.
Jill had an unusual life long disease, Xeroderma Pigmentosa. While a child of the community, she was as well a citizen of the world since laboratories around the globe have used her cells for decades in the advancement of disease research. Jill’s loving, sweet and kind nature will be missed and long remembered. Jill is predeceased by her mother, Betty W. Smith, who through the years provided remarkable devotion and love to her; maternal grandparents, Carlos and Hazel Westfall and paternal grandparents, Rev. J. Edgar and Velma Smith.
She is survived by her father, Dr. J. Loren Smith of Sumerco; brothers, Dr. Scott and Polly Smith of Sumerco, Clark W. Smith of St. Albans; sister, Julie C. Smith of Canton, CT and seven nieces, Tori, Taylor, Elizabeth, Gracie, Mattie, Jillian, and Shellie. The family would like to thank special friends, Jo Ann Midkiff and Tammy Pearson.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 815 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, with Rev. Loretta Isaiah officiating. Family and friends may gather from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Special Needs Adult Program, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 815 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, WV 25177.