Keith Ann Smith, 71, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Born on August 20, 1955, in Charleston, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Jack Meadows Matheny and the late Madge Bowen Matheny.
Keith Ann was a graduate of West Virginia University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and a Master’s degree in Audiology. She furthered her education at Gallaudet University, earning a Master’s degree in Deaf Education.
In 1985, she married the love of her life, Craig W. Smith, in Clendenin, West Virginia, and together they shared 41 years of marriage. Keith Ann was a devoted wife and mother whose kind, thoughtful, and warm personality made everyone around her feel loved. She enjoyed stenciling, needlepoint, and the company of her beloved cats.
She was a dedicated and compassionate educator who devoted her career to serving deaf and hard of hearing students in Kanawha County Schools in West Virginia, and Volusia County Schools and Nassau County Schools in Florida. She was fluent in sign language and frequently interpreted for school events. She cared deeply for each of her students.
Keith Ann was a woman of faith who loved the Lord. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Clendenin, West Virginia, where she taught Sunday school and shared her voice singing at church. After moving to Florida, she attended New Life Baptist Church in Yulee, Florida.
She is survived by her beloved family: her husband of 41 years, Craig Smith; her children, Samuel Smith (Stacie) of Sunnyvale, California, and Benjamin Smith of Tallahassee, Florida; stepchildren, Kelly Adkins (JD) of Asheboro, North Carolina, the late Brian Smith (Debbie) of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Kerry Rapp (Bryan) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; step grandchildren, Shaye, Sean, Troy, Koen, Kate, Taras, Brooklyn, and Olivia; her brother, Jack Matheny (Jill) of Palatka, Florida, and their children, Sean, Autumn, and Brent; cousins, Jane Hjelm (Jim) of Laurel, Maryland, and the late June Lo Monoco (Paolo), of Arlington, Virginia. She is also survived by a loving extended family and dear friends with whom she shared countless memories.
A visitation will be held at 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 10, 2026, at Stump-Matics Funeral Home, 8539 Elk River Road North, Clendenin, West Virginia, with Pastor Shawn Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Koontz Cemetery in Clendenin, West Virginia. Fond memories and words of comfort can be shared with the Smith family at www.stumpfuneralhomes.com
