E. Janice Smith

November 29, 1938 - December 2, 2019

E. Janice Smith, age 81 of Sun Valley, Glen Dale, WV passed away Monday, December 2, 2019 at Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glen Dale, WV. She was born November 29, 1938 in Glen Dale, WV the daughter of the late Joseph and Evelyn Freeman Rodrigues. Jan received her Bachelors in Education from WVU where she would later receive her advanced degree of an MA in Community Health Education. Throughout her entire career Jan was focused on helping people, especially children. She began as a school teacher at Moundsville High School. After a pause to raise her children she later substituted at Moundsville Junior High. She then shifted her career focus to behavioral health services becoming a strong advocate of programs that cared for the mental health, crisis intervention and educational needs of children. She was an Associate Executive Director of the Northern Panhandle Behavioral Health Center. Jan was a sought after grant writer for local, state and national programs and was a Certified Addiction Counselor. The Bridges program was also conceived and developed by her. Jan also developed a private practice, Family Connections, to treat children and families with mental health and addiction issues. She concluded her career as a consultant for the national program Kidspeace, traveling the country researching and gathering data to establish protocols to address the complicated problems of children and families. She served on a number of local and state Boards. Jan was also well known for her community activism. There were two projects she was particularly proud of she helped to conceptualize and develop the Little Grave Creek Water Shed Association to protect and sustain the neighborhood she lived in and loved most of her adult life and was also on the Board for the Strand Theatre Preservation Society and wrote initial grants in order to obtain funding. She was admired by many for her intelligence and drive, while remaining poised and graceful. Jan was most proud of her family and her chosen family of friends. She loved unconditionally and was loved, as such, in return. She was the first grandchild of a large family. She was blessed to have a best friend since the first grade and another dear friend of many decades who were both like sisters to her. If you knew Jan in recent years, you would also know her deep love for her adored mini schnauzer, Jasper. He was her constant companion and, along with all who loved her, will miss her deeply. Jan was true believer and follower of Jesus Christ and was very proud of being a lifelong member of Glen Dale United Methodist Church. She was always quick to share scripture with others to provide support for whatever they might be experiencing in life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph G. Rodrigues. Survivors include a son, Scott W. Smith and a daughter, Lori A. (Tim Lynn) Smith all of Glen Dale; a sister in law, Regina Rodrigues of Buckhannon, WV ; several cousins with-in the Rodrigues and Freeman Family; and surrogate daughter and grandchildren Chris, Chaz and Josie Frizzell. Family will receive friends on Friday from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Grisell Funeral Home & Crematory, 400 Jefferson Avenue, Moundsville where Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 1pm. Interment in Greenlawn Cemetery, Moundsville, WV. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”- Matthew 5:4 In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Assoc. 162 Court St. Charleston, WV 25302 or Alzheimer’s Assoc. at ALZ.org