Thelma Barton Smith, 94

LAKE RIDGE, Va. - Thelma Barton Smith of Lake Ridge died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, in the Westminster at Lake Ridge Retirement Community. She was 94.

She was the daughter of John C. Sr. and Bertha Barton Smith.

Miss Smith attended public schools in Kent County and graduated in 1934 from Washington College.

In 1948, Miss Smith was awarded a Master's of education degree from the University of Maryland.

She worked in Washington, D.C., at the General Accounting Office for three years following college graduation.

In September 1937, Miss Smith returned to Chestertown High School to begin a career in teaching, remaining there six years before moving to Prince George's County.

Miss Smith retired in June 1971 after 23 years as an elementary school principal.

For the past ten years she resided at the Westminster at Lake Ridge Retirement Community.

Miss Smith is survived by a special great-nephew, T. Scott Ehlers; nieces and nephews, great -nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews as well as many close friends who are grateful that she "adopted" them along the way.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday in Church Hill Cemetery, Church Hill.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation at 1 p.m. Monday at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown.