subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Fri, Nov 20 2009 

Published: April 28, 2009 10:04 pm    print this story  

House leader transferred to different hospital

Oce Smith in stable condition after suffering aneurysm in March

Mannix Porterfield
Register-Herald Reporter

Oce Smith, a part of the House of Delegates structure for more than half a century, has been transferred to Ruby Memorial Hospital in stable condition after suffering a dissecting aneurysm that sidelined him in late March.

Smith underwent surgery at Cleveland Clinic but last week the long-serving sergeant-at-arms was moved to the Morgantown hospital.

“I went down there last night,” wife Carol said Tuesday. “And it was the best yet. But he still has a long way to go. He’s still weak and they have hardly gotten him up. He’s had a real intensive time.”

Smith was elected as sergeant-at-arms in 1967 and before that held a number of positions in the House, giving him an association with the Legislature that has exceeded 50 years.

Six years ago, the House moved to name a bridge crossing Buffalo Creek in County Route 21 in Marion County after the Barrackville native. The resolution was co-sponsored by two of his closest friends, Delegates Mike Caputo and Tim Manchin, both D-Marion.

Caputo, in fact, kept the House posted with daily updates on Smith’s condition after he was stricken near the end of the session.

Smith’s health had begun to falter in recent years, forcing him to get about the spacious House chamber with the aid of cane.

Yet, he has maintained a sense of humor that made him a favorite with reporters covering the Legislature, often regaling them with funny anecdotes spanning his career.

“Last night,” his wife said of her hospital visit, “he was well enough to start giving me orders, if that tells you anything.”

Mrs. Smith had no idea how long her husband would remain at the hospital. During the past weekend, he suffered a temporary setback with pneumonia and a urinary infection, along with spiking a high fever, but his condition was improved Monday night, she said.

“He has lots of well wishes and a lot of prayers,” she said.

“I think the prayers are what pulled him through. He really had it rough up there in Cleveland.”

Mrs. Smith applauded the efforts of Caputo and his secretary, and her husband’s secretary, with helping relay updates on his health to fellow lawmakers and others.

Cards may be sent to Oce Smith, c/o Ruby Memorial Hospital, Stadium Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506.

“He has been in bed since the end of March,” his wife said. “This is going to be a hard row for him.”

— E-mail:

mannix@register-herald.com

print this story  



autoconx

Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

CERTIFIED SURFACE MINE ELECTRICIANS AND MECHANICS - NICHOLAS ENERGY
Republic Energy is accepting applications and resumes for Certified Surface Mine Electricians and Mechanics. If you are ...>MORE

CHIEF INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE Cole Complex, Institute, WV 25112 Invites applications for the position of:...>MORE

TEREX / SHM HIGHWALL MINER OPERATORS, HIGHWALL MINER FOREMAN, CERTIFIED ELECTRICIANS
Pocahontas Coal Company’s North Star One Surface and High Wall Miner operations located near Beckley, WV is now acceptin...>MORE

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT - MONTGOMERY GENERAL ELDERLY CARE
MONTGOMERY GENERAL ELDERLY CARE is accepting applications / resumes for Certified Nursing Assistants. Applicants may app...>MORE

CASEWORKER
Caseworker. A part-time with possible full-time potential position managing the monthly income of mentally and physicall...>MORE

NURSE PRACTITIONER - GREENBRIER CO.
Nurse Practitioner for busy medical office in western Greenbrier County. Must be able to work evenings and weekends. Ful...>MORE

LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES
Make a difference in the life of a veteran. Are you interested in working in a state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind organizat...>MORE

CLINIC DIRECTOR - BECKLEY TREATMENT CENTER
BECKLEY TREATMENT CENTER CRC Health Group CLINIC DIRECTOR Career opportunity available with Beckley Treatment Center,...>MORE

UNDERGROUND COAL MINING FOREMAN / COORDINATOR
GMS Mine Repair and Maintenance is seeking a Virginia certified Underground Coal Mining Foreman / Coordinator for work i...>MORE

RN CIRCULATOR
RN CIRCULATOR. The OR team at GVMC is searching for a qualified Registered Nurse to join their growing operation in the ...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Jobs

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index