Ted R. Smith, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away on October 9, 2026.
Ted was born on August 6, 1931, in Charleston, West Virginia, the only child of the late Elden and Forrest (Jones) Smith. His family moved from Dunbar to Charleston in 1937, where he grew up and developed many of the interests that would remain with him throughout his life. He attended Wilson Junior High School and graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1949. During his school years, Ted was active in the band, football, and track and was a member of the National Honor Society.
The Boy Scouts played a significant role in Ted’s younger years and helped shape his lifelong commitment to leadership and service. He spent eight years in scouting and became the first Eagle Scout at Emmanuel Baptist Church in 1947. He continued serving as a Scout leader for 19 years, organizing Troop 107 and a similar Christian based group at Spring Hill Baptist Church. Ted was also a Scout bugler, played for camps, and served as an Army bugler.
In 1943, Ted met his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Rhodes, through the youth group at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Their friendship grew into a lifelong love, and on March 3, 1950, the two were married during Ted’s freshman year at West Virginia University. Evelyn helped support Ted as he worked his way through college, beginning a partnership built on faith, love, and devotion that would last for 70 years.
Ted graduated from West Virginia University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He continued his education at The Ohio State University, earning a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1954 while holding a research assistantship. His academic accomplishments included membership in Tau Beta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, and Pi Kappa Alpha.
From 1953 until 1985, Ted worked for Union Carbide in South Charleston, West Virginia, in research and development. Throughout his career, he conducted laboratory, pilot plant, and production studies and prepared extensive reports and operating procedures. He also co-authored a patent with Van King. His work reflected his analytical mind, attention to detail, and desire to put his knowledge to meaningful use.
While Ted enjoyed a successful professional career, much of his life’s work was devoted to serving others and sharing his Christian faith. He had a remarkable ability to organize, lead, and bring people together for a common purpose. Over the years, he helped establish several organizations, preparing constitutions, obtaining nonprofit status, and providing leadership wherever it was needed.
Among these organizations was Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, where he helped establish the first student Christian fellowship at West Virginia University in 1950. He was also involved with the Canadian Board of the Fellowship of Baptist Missionaries in Trinidad and Tobago and Camp-of-the-Hills, a Christian camping and retreat ministry.
Ted’s dedication to mission work became one of the defining chapters of his life. Having served as an officer of the Fellowship of Baptist Missionaries in Trinidad and Tobago since 1960, he retired early from Union Carbide in 1985 to become the mission’s full-time director. In this role, he served as director, office manager, and chairman of the board, taking on whatever responsibilities were necessary to support the ministry.
His work included writing, editing, and publishing literature, preparing a monthly newsletter for 35 years, speaking to churches, schools, and conferences, and traveling to Trinidad and Tobago. He also helped guide the reorganization of the mission and the rewriting of its constitution. After 12 years of full-time service, Ted retired from his position but continued to offer his knowledge and guidance as a consultant.
Ted’s desire to help others extended far beyond his professional and missionary responsibilities. He enjoyed working with computers and kept up with advances in technology, a hobby he and Evelyn shared beginning with the purchase of their first computers in 1985. He used his computer skills to conduct medical research, locate clinical trials for individuals facing terminal illnesses, and connect people with major medical clinics throughout the United States. He maintained contacts with numerous medical centers and devoted countless hours to helping families explore possible treatment options, never charging for his time. For Ted, the opportunity to help someone was reward enough.
Never one to stop learning or take on fewer challenges, Ted began bicycle riding at the age of 65. In 2001, at the age of 70, he participated in a two-day, 115-mile bicycle ride from Lewisburg to Marlinton, West Virginia, and back, sponsored by residents of Edgewood Summit. It was another example of Ted’s determination and willingness to embrace something new.
During his years at Edgewood Summit, Ted also led the Resident Association Directory Committee, putting his photography, writing, and organizational skills to good use. Whether through his career, church, community, or personal interests, Ted was happiest when he was learning, contributing, and finding ways to make life better for those around him.
Ted was active in Bible Center Church in Charleston, where he served on the Encoding Team, helping make the church’s weekly services available over the internet. His Christian faith was the foundation of his life and was evident in the countless ways he served his church, community, and people in need.
Above all, Ted shared a beautiful life with his beloved Evelyn. From their early days together as childhood sweethearts to their many years of marriage, they built a life centered on faith, service, and love. Together, they devoted themselves to their church, their community, and the ministries so dear to their hearts. Their marriage was a lasting example of commitment and companionship.
Ted will be remembered for his brilliant mind, generous heart, strong Christian faith, and remarkable willingness to give his time and talents to others. He was a man of many accomplishments, but perhaps his greatest legacy is found in the people he helped, the lives he touched, and the faithful example he leaves behind.
