MARGARET ANN JAMES SMITH-bALL, 70, died Sunday, October 31, 2010 in Fairmont WV after an extended illness.
Margaret Ann was born Tuesday, February 6, 1940 in Bluefield WV. She graduated Greenbrier High School in 1958. After marrying H.A. (Johnny) Smith in 1960, she moved to Elkins, WV and raised her family. Later in life she became a successful business woman owning and operating two restaurants at Snowshoe, WV. Established in 1982, Margaret Ann grew the Red Fox into an award winning, world class restaurant until it closed in 2006. The success of the Red Fox was followed by the opening of the Foxfire Grille in 2000. Margaret Ann was also instrumental in the founding and development of Snowshoe ski resort. In addition to her business endeavors she was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved life, food, travel, family and friends.
She is survived by five children: Tamela A. Irvin, husband Jodi, James Logan Smith, Helen Scott Gordon, Katherine S. Wyrosdick, husband Michael, Cynthia C. Gunning. Five grandchildren: Zela, Haley, Maggie, Benjamin and Emma. Two brothers: Thaddeus James, wife Jane and Charles James, wife Sue.
Her parents, Lyle T. James and Helen (Belcher) James preceded her in death.
Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman on Thursday, November 4th from 5pm until 7pm at Scott Hill, 2000 Livingston Ave. Elkins. The family requests that attendees bring pictures and stories to share. Final Rites will be held on Friday, November 5th at 2pm at the Lohr & Barb Funeral home in Elkins with Ray Godwin officiating.
The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, Fourteenth Floor, New York, NY 10004. Tribute donations may be made online at www.jdrf.org.
