Obituary of John Walter Smith, Jr.

John Walter "Smitty" Smith, Jr., 65 of Bedford, passed away Monday, October 6, 2014 at his residence. He was born on Thursday, April 14, 1949 in Burlington, NC, a son of the late John Walter Smith, Sr. and Dolores Cole Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vicki Johnson Smith, to whom he was a loving & devoted husband for forty-three years. Smitty was a graduate of Liberty High School and served in the U. S. Navy. After this service he worked at Wheelabrator Abrasives until his retirement. He was a huge UNC Tarheel, Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees fan. He enjoyed traveling to UNC with this boys to catch a basketball game. He also enjoyed trips to the beach for family vacations. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Surviving are his sons, Gregory Smith & wife, Gail of Johnson City, TN, son, Benjamin Smith, Scott Smith & wife, Zana all of Bedford; his sisters, Tracy Smith of Lynchburg, Connie Stanek & husband, Danny of Roanoke; his grandchildren, Delaney Smith & Ryan Smith; his mother-in-law, Jean Johnson of Bedford; brother-in-law, Benny Johnson & wife, Brenda of Bedford, a special aunt, Freddie Dixon & Uncle Donald, a niece, Stacie Anderson as well as a number of relatives & friends. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 12:00 noon at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Dr. David Henderson officiating. Interment, with military honors by American Legion Post # 16 will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.