Bennie Jr. Smith

Bennie Jutson Smith, Jr., 73, a resident of Smithfield died Sunday, November 12, 2006 at Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk, VA. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Hazel Davis Smith. Born January 15, 1933 in Smithfield, he was the son of the late Bennie J. Smith, Sr., and Merle Powell Smith. Mr. Smith served in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the American Legion Post in Smithfield. He retired from the Sheet Metal Department, Newport News Shipyard, in 1996. Bennie was a past deacon in the Surry Baptist Church. Besides his wife, he is also survived by his son, Michael Eugene Smith and wife, Karen Jean of Gloucester; his daughter, Yvonne Smith McDonald of Paw Paw, WV; four sisters, Betty Ann Jones of Smithfield, Shirley Burrows of Atlanta GA, Alice Faye Johnston of Roanoke Rapids, and Marion Grady of Portsmouth; a brother, Eddie Smith of Smithfield; five grandchildren, Robert M. Smith, Kyle McDonald, Elizabeth McDonald, Juston McDonald, and Shannon N. Smith; and two great-grandchildren, Riddick McDonald and Danica McDonald. Bennie was predeceased by a brother, Buddy Smith. Graveside funeral services with military rites will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 12:00 noon in Albert G. Horton, Jr., Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, with the Rev. Jarvis Hearn officiating. The family will be at their residence, 216 Irvin Drive in Smithfield. Memorial donations may be made to Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Drive, Smithfield, VA, 23430, or Surry Baptist Church, 12316 Rolfe Highway, Surry, VA 23883. Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, assisted the family with arrangements.