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By Bob Weaver
A witness told Clay authorities that three or more youths were beating on Joey "Crow" Smith in the Rite Aid parking lot. A
store employee reportedly intervened on the beating. Sheriff Harald Fields said the youths scattered when the employee
came out on the lot.
Another report, unconfirmed, said a youth hit Smith over the head with a shoe while he was "sitting on his perch."
Later he fell down some steps near a shack in which he slept, after which he was taken to the hospital.
The 38-year-old man died a few hours later.
The Clay man was a fixture in the county seat, often perched on a stone pillar in front of the old Clay courthouse. The
town's best known alcoholic was the subject of numerous newspaper articles. (See Herald story 4/9/03)
The town's police department is investigating the death, although it was not confirmed if an autopsy was being
performed.
Authorities said local "thugs" had beaten on "Crow" before, usually when he was intoxicated.
Ronda Dennis, owner of the Town and County Diner in Clay, has collected $1,700 for his funeral. "I can't stand the thought
of burying him in a cardboard box," she said.
A graveside rite is being conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12 at Sunset Cemetery at Fola with the Rev. James Gill and Rev.
Robert Murphy officiating. Visitation is Friday evening 6-8 p.m. at the Pennington Funeral Home in Gauley Bridge.
He is survived by father, Wesley Smith of Charleston and the late Joyce Jones Smith, a sister and a half-sister.
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