THOMAS — Mariwyn Faith McClain Smith, editor of the Parsons Advocate from 1971-2004 and a former past president of the West Virginia Press Association (WVPA), died June 6.
Smith, 81, died at Cortland Acres, in Thomas, surrounded by her children.
Smith and her family were active in the state newspaper industry and the WVPA for decades. She served as president of the WVPA in 1993. Her husband, George, served as WVPA president in 1971, and her father, Kenneth McClain, served as WVPA president in 1959. Mariwyn Smith was the first person in the organization’s history to be the third member of one family to hold the office of president.
From her obituary:
Born April 17, 1937, in Morgantown, Mariwyn was the second of three children of the late R. Kenneth and C. Faith Reynolds McClain, of Parsons and Zephyrhills, Fla. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Dr. Edward F. McClain, of Madison, Wisc., and her husband George A. Smith Jr.
Survivors include her children Kenneth Edward (wife Bonnie Swyter), of Parsons, Barbara Smith Broaddus Plumley (husband Carl), of Germantown, Md., Faith Smith Robinson (husband Ken), of Enterprise, Ala. Six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also sur-vive, as do a sister, Rachel McClain Wright, and a sister-in-law, Linda Smith Stewart (husband Jim).
Mariwyn was a 1955 grad-uate of Parsons High School and a 1959 graduate of Davis & Elkins College.
In addition to her work at the Parsons Advocate, she was also an officer of McClain Printing Co. for many years.
Hinkle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following: The Tucker Community Foundation (McClain Fund — for the Five River Public Library), (The Parsons Presbyterian Fund), or (The Director’s General Fund).
This story was submitted by the West Virginia Press Association.
