BLUEFIELD - Charles Roy Smith, of 2232 Jefferson St., died Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, at Princeton Community Hospital following a courageous battle with serious illness. Born March 30, 1928, at Beckley, he was the son of the late Roy I. and Eva G. Hopkins Smith. A former Mercer County prosecuting attorney, his career was marked by significant professional and volunteer service throughout this region. He received the American Legion's "Distinguished Citizenship Award" in 1999. A 1949 graduate of Wood-row Wilson High School in Beckley (where he was inducted into the school's football Hall of Fame), he served in the U.S. Army and spent 18 months in the occupation of Japan. He enrolled in Washington and Lee University, where he was a starting lineman on the 1951 W&L Gator Bowl football team. After earning a degree in accounting, he enrolled in the West Virginia University School of Law and served as a volunteer football coach. After graduation from WVU Law School, he joined the Bluefield law firm of Richardson and Kemper, and later established professional association with local attorney Bernard McClaugherty. In 1965, he was appointed Mercer County assistant prosecuting attorney, serving in that capacity until June 1989, when he was appointed the county's prosecuting attorney by Judge David Knight. He served as the county's prosecuting attorney for nine years, until his retirement in 1998. A tireless advocate for the welfare and protection of children, Smith was recognized by the Child Protective Service Workers, who named the new conference room in the Division of Health and Human Services in his honor. He once volunteered to be "roasted" during a very successful fund-raising activity of the Children's Home Society of West Virginia. Quietly and often anonymously, he underwrote costs associated with deserving children's tuition to camps, the circus, and sporting/educational programs. He also supported the WE CAN program. For many years, he donned a Santa Claus outfit and talked to children about their holiday dreams. A recipient of the Boy Scouts' highest award - Eagle Scout - he served as an area scout master for many years. He supported the Windy Mountain Learning Center and worked with individuals at the Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center. A chaperone for public school patrol trips to Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg, Pa., he also found time to assist the Bluefield Jaycees with their Soap Box Derby competition. He provided public address and play-by-play announcing services for Bluefield High School football and assisted in taking game films during the 1960s. He was an active member of Bland Street United Methodist Church and served as chairman of the Administration Board, along with numerous church committees. He organized a video ministry, making types of church services available to individuals unable to attend. A member of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Southern District of the United Methodist Church, he also taught a weekly Bible study each Wednesday. He is survived by his brother, George and wife, Eloise of Tomball, Texas; his sister, Dora Lee Webster of Falmouth, Maine; nephews, John, Dick, Alan, David and James; niece, Susan; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his family, Charlie leaves his adopted Bluefield family of Dr. Jim Nelson, his wife, Kitty, and daughter, Kathy, as well as Arnold "Nub" Porterfield. He leaves his adopted Princeton family of special friend, Margaret G. Bailey, her children, son David and his wife, Kris, son Mike and his wife, Tina, and her daughter, Michele, and grandchildren. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Bland Street Methodist Church with the Rev. Warren Faulkner and the Rev. Charles Echols officiating. At the family's request, there will be no visitation. It was his wish that, in lieu of flowers, those individuals wishing to honor his memory may do so by making contributions to the "We CAN" Children's Foundation, the "Make-A-Wish Foundation," the Boy Scouts of America, and/or Bland Street United Methodist Church. This information was submitted by Mercer Funeral Home, Bluefield.