Eleanor Joan Smith Creed of Philippi, WV, passed away on Friday, June 1, 2018 at the age of 92 at her daughter’s home in Fuquay-Varina, NC. Eleanor was born February 16, 1926 in Elkins, WV to the late Mima Elizabeth Ward Smith and Howard Willis Smith.
Eleanor was an educator for twenty-three years after having received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from West Virginia University in 1947 and 1950, respectively. She taught at WVU; Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan; and Marshall Junior High School, in Marshall, Michigan. The majority of her years teaching were at Philip Barbour High School and Barbour County Vocational Center in Philippi, WV. The culmination of her career was working in the alumni department at Alderson Broaddus College where she had attended as a student prior to studying at WVU.
In addition to her academia work, Eleanor helped her husband, Johnny, operate the four Creed Oil Company stations. Eleanor also managed rental properties for Creed Enterprises until she retired in 2010.
Eleanor was a member of the Philippi Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder. She was a member of PEO Sisterhood Chapter C, Order of Eastern Star Chapter 41, WVU Alumni Association, Association of Retired School Employees, Barbour County Historical Society, Barbour Country Club, and the Philippi Women’s Club.
Her passions were reading, traveling, dancing, sewing, knitting, weaving, crafts, gardening, antiquing, painting, playing games, sharing her faith and spending time with her family.
Eleanor loved life and loved people. She always shared her smile and charming wit, brightening any room that she entered. She was caring and thoughtful, readily striving to help those in need.
Though Eleanor is dearly missed, we know she is in heaven joking with Jesus and dancing the jitterbug with Johnny!
Eleanor was predeceased by her loving husband John Willard Creed after being married 53 years, son Glen Ward Creed, sister Marjorie Jean Smith Durling and brothers Howard Ward Smith (Bud) and Ned Phillips Smith. She is survived by her son Neil Smith Creed of Volga, WV and favorite (only) daughter Judy Creed White and husband Ted Shepard White of Fuquay-Varina, NC: grandchildren John Warrick Creed, Angelynn Michelle Creed, Evan Taylor White, Jeremy Creed White, Nolan Shepard White, Ashley Nicole Creed Simon and husband Jordan, Kelly Jo Creed and great grandchildren Kayla Michelle Creed Williams and husband James, Michael Johnathan Creed and Rosa Louise Morris.
Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home 220 N. Walnut St. Philippi on Wednesday June 6, from 6-8 pm the Order of Eastern Star will conduct services at 7 pm. Visitation will resume on Thursday June 7, from 8 – 11:00 am. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am with Rev. Dr. Danny Franke. Interment will follow in the Mt. Vernon Memorial Cemetery.
Friends and family are then invited to gather at the Crim Memorial United Methodist Church’s fellowship hall for food and a continued celebration of her life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Philippi Presbyterian Church 147 Norris Ridge Rd. Philippi WV 26416 or the charity of your choice.







Eleanor was a wonderful friend whom we enjoyed and respected very much. We knew her from being the owner of the rental properties below where we live in Clarksburg, WV. She was very vivacious, charming, witty, intelligent, and talented individual. We loved her company and over the years we became close friends. We miss her greatly because she became like family to us. We admired the courage she possessed because in her later years, she was very sick, but always had that charming demeanor and smile of a little girt that could brighten your day. We know that she is in a much better place celebrating with her loved ones that proceeded her in death. We give our condolences to the family members remaining because of their loss of a loved one but look forward to celebrating her resting in peace now.
My condolences
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She lived a very full life! May God comfort you.
Judy & Ted
My sincere warmest prayers for you. The obituary was absolutely beautiful. What she has left behind in you and your family is wonderful gift from the Lord.
All the best.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
She was a sweet lady.
Mrs. Creed was so happy in life and an inspiration to all who knew her. Prayers to the family
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss; my prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear this. I really loved this dear lady. I knew when I didn’t get a Christmas card that she was probably in poor health. She had a good life and I’m so glad she was a part of mine for several years.
Neil, Judy and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loved ones passing. I have always had fond memories of Eleanor. She was one of my favorite teachers and was always kind to me. May God wrap you in peace within His comforting arms during this time.
Lovingly,
Judy Ervin Ritter
Eleanor was such a character! She always had a funny remark to make or an eyebrow to lift in response to even the most mundane statement.
I remember fondly the time we were all at a workshop. The leader asked us to run in place. Eleanor stood up, using her “buggy” (walker), and then went to town, running in place. Her arms went faster than her legs could, but she did it!
I heard that, during a recent hospital stay, she proved she could walk by dancing down the hallway.
I bet she's dancing up a storm in heaven right now! You will be missed, Eleanor, and you sure did make a wonderful impression on us. Unforgettable, that's what you are!
In memory of Eleanor Joan Creed, Betty Miller lit a candle
In memory of Eleanor Joan Creed, Janet eddings lit a candle
so sorry for loss of y mother my heart goes out to you my prayer are with you thru this time you had my love and support i am very sorry that y loss her