Helen Jo Smith

Helen Jo (Wimer) Smith, age 75 of Georgetown, Ohio passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025 at the Hospice of Hope Inpatient Care Center at Kenton Pointe in Maysville, Kentucky surrounded by her family. She was born May 30, 1950 in Morgantown, West Virginia the daughter of the late Roscoe and Elaine (Metheny) Wimer. Helen Jo graduated from Jackson High School in 1968, where she was actively involved in Majorettes, the National Honor Society and Archery, winning many awards including state champion in West Virginia. She also participated in band, playing the clarinet and saxophone, and was voted Sweetheart Queen of her senior class. She went on to graduate from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in education. On February 12, 1972, she married the love of her life Michael Smith and they bought a small farm in Minford, Ohio. She taught at Minford Local Schools for 26 years, teaching high school English and then junior high English, later earning her Master’s degree. Mike, Jo and their girls moved to Georgetown in 1998, leaving behind great memories, keeping old friendships close and making new friends. Helen Jo spent her final years teaching junior high English at Georgetown Exempted Village School District. She was loved and respected by her students and coworkers. The impact she had on her students couldn’t be replicated, as she created meaningful relationships and was able to help every child believe in themselves. Beyond the English curriculum Helen Jo taught her students compassion, kindness and how to treat others. She earned the teacher of the year award for Brown County during her tenure. Helen Jo was an active member of the Georgetown United Methodist Church. She had quite a few interests and excelled at all. She was an incredible gardener with beautiful flowers and landscaping that she and Mike kept immaculate. She always had a camera ready to take the perfect picture. Helen Jo’s cooking was phenomenal. Her homemade sourdough bread was true perfection and her daughters’ friends loved to stay over and have Helen Jo’s homemade French toast in the mornings. She enjoyed scrapbooking, reading, walking, taking motorcycle rides (then Spyder rides), golf cart rides, going to the beach, eating ice cream, spending time with family and adored her grandchildren. She was the perfect Nana. Helen Jo was always very kind and made new friends everywhere she went. She was an amazing person who had an incredible ability to make everyone feel so loved and special. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister – Lavon Miller and husband Pat, grandparents – Roscoe Wimer, Sr. Josephine (Colaw) Wimer, Francis Metheny and Helen DeWitt and in-laws – Henry and Juanita (Adkins) Smith. The family wishes to thank the family of workers at the Hospice of Hope Care Center for the loving care Helen Jo received while there.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her loving husband of 53 years – Michael Smith; three daughters – Rebecca Smith Garrett of Georgetown, Ohio, Rachel Cluxton and husband Todd of Ripley, Ohio and Carey Beth Shaheen and husband Drew of Georgetown, Ohio; seven grandchildren – Drew Baughey, Carter, Kenley and Presley Cluxton and Kennedy, Savannah and Cora Shaheen; two sisters – Terri Tackett and husband Steve of Carolina Beach, North Carolina and Brenda Smith and husband Al of Jackson, Ohio and one sister-in-law - Bonnie Owens of Jackson, Ohio

Funeral services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at the Georgetown United Methodist Church, 217 South Main Street, Georgetown, Ohio. Dan Pelzel and Zedda Myers will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Wednesday at the church. Cremation will follow the services. The funeral service will be streamed live on the Cahall Funeral Home facebook page.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Georgetown United Methodist Church, 217 South Main Street, Georgetown, Ohio 45121.