Margene Johnson Smith of Barboursville, WV was born on December 26, 1948 in Huntington, WV and joined the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 29th, 2024 after a sudden decline in her health due to Parkinson’s Disease. She was 75 years of age.
Margene was a lifelong resident of Barboursville as the daughter of Margaret and Hearl Johnson (deceased), brother to David Johnson (deceased), and loving sister to Kitty Robinson (Michael) of Summerville, SC and Amy Adkins (Jeff) of Charleston, SC. Margene was a 1966 graduate of Barboursville High School and graduated with a degree in Cytology from Marshall University in 1970. She is survived by her only daughter, Sarah Smith Bougher and son-in-law, Brian of Evansville, Indiana and her adored grandchildren, Ella and Nathan Bougher.
Margene passionately loved her career in Cytotechnology that spanned 44 years in the Laboratory at Cabell Huntington Hospital. She graduated 43 years of Cytology students. Passionate and skilled, she excelled as a teacher. After working a full day at the hospital, she would often screen slides for private labs in the evening. Both her work and teaching in the field of Cytology helped save countless lives. Her co-workers at Cabell were some of her closest friends and confidants.
Margene’s most important work was done with the people she loved at River Cities Community Church, where she generously gave her time, knowledge of the Word, prayers, resources, and deep affection for the Lord. She led many Bible Studies and prayer groups over the years and went on several Mission trips, including several to Israel and Mexico. Margene also grew up in and was a member of Steele Memorial UMC until 1991. She was also a supporter of CRU, valuing the work of spreading the Gospel far and wide. Generosity of her love, time and resources summed up Margene’s life. If she saw a need spiritually or financially, she met it faithfully.
Outside of her busy life of work and serving the Lord, Margene loved spending time with family, especially her beloved grandchildren, Ella and Nathan, and daughter Sarah and son-in-law, Brian. Trips to the beach with them were some of the highlights of her life. She often boasted to everyone she saw about Ella’s harp performances and her gifted abilities to paint and draw, which she inherited from her Nana. She also created precious memories with Ella as she taught her to sew, making Halloween costumes and delicate doll clothes, as Margene was an excellent seamstress. She loved watching Nathan play baseball from the time he was 5 years old, cheering him on loudly from the stands. She and her grandson also enjoyed time shopping for clothes together as Nathan inherited his love for being well dressed - and matched, from his Nana.
Special memories also include family beach trips with her parents, dearly loved sisters, nieces, and nephews, as well as RCCC Young Adult trips to the Outer Banks. Margene also occupied her free time with her many hobbies, including drawing, painting murals in the children’s department of the old Cabell County library, reading, cross-stitching, calligraphy, photographing her grandchildren, working the daily crossword puzzle, reading the Herald Dispatch, appreciating and laughing about Joey’s daily work cartoons, writing encouraging notes, attending Rock Steady boxing class- a special exercise class that benefits Parkinson’s patients, and going to weekly movies with her dear Aunt Lorna.
Margene had a special group of friends she called “The Lunch Bunch,” whom she loved to hang out with, dine with, shop, share holidays with, and go on trips together. Many times, they accompanied her to WVU for doctors appointments and supported her faithfully through her diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. These ladies shared a genuine, special bond that will be cherished always. Included in this group of friends was a family friend, Beth Calvert, whose influence in Margene’s Christian walk and life was predominant.
Margene’s life was a full life, well-lived and well-loved. We will miss her so very much on this earth, but we know one day, we will rejoice with her in Heaven again. The family wants to especially thank her loving Caregivers, Ascension at-home services, NP Lauren Dill, Evansville Heart to Heart Hospice staff and in-patient center, and Dr. Karl Sash for his unwavering medical support in Margene’s last months.
Visitation will be June 9th from 1:30-4:30 p.m. and Funeral Services on June 10th at 11 a.m., both at River Cities Community Church, 2096 US-60, Huntington, WV 25705 with burial to follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Park, Huntington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to: River Cities Community Church designated to your choice of the following: Counseling Department; or the Missions Department which was the heart of Margene; or Rock Steady Boxing, Charleston, WV chapter - Make check to Advanced Physical Therapy; 4301 MacCorkle Ave. SE; Charleston, WV 25304. In memo, designate: Rock Steady Boxing - Margene Smith.
Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville, is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
