Mr Bernard Henry Smith

Bernard Henry Smith, 93, passed away March 4, 2013 at Woodlands Retirement Community. Bernard was the son of Blanche and Marcus Smith of Charleston, WV. He was a graduate of Charleston High School and attended Morris Harvey College. Bernard volunteered for the Army during War World II and served in Europe and North Africa. Returning to Charleston after the war, Bernard worked as a jeweler. He then met and married the love of his life, Josephine Polan, of Huntington. They moved to Huntington in 1957 where he worked for Polan Industries and then Allied Warehousing Services. A devoted husband and father, Bernard and Josie raised four sons. He was a man of exceeding gentleness and grace, admired and loved by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Bernard is preceded in death by Josie, his wife of 63 years, and his sister, Marian Cohen of Charleston. He is survived by his four sons: Mark and Jane Smith of Plano, Texas, Jeff and Susie Smith, Gabe and Joanie Smith, and Steven Smith of Huntington. Pops is also survived by five grandchildren, Stephen Smith and Sara Whitaker of Charleston, WV, Allison and Dave Ondocsin of Carrollton, Texas, Jeffrey Smith, Alex and Brittney Smith of Huntington, WV, and Annie Smith of Louisville, KY, and one great grandson, Jackson Noble Smith of Charleston, WV. Bernard is survived by one sister, Frances Hitchcock of West Palm Beach, Florida. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and who gave great joy to their Uncle Bernard, especially Sidney and Marilyn. Special thanks to Bernard's devoted and loving caregivers, Vicki Maynard and Edna Maynard, and to the staff of Woodlands Retirement Community. Graveside services will be conducted by Rabbi Jean Eglinton on Friday, March 8 at 12:00 p.m. at Spring Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice.