Obituary for Earl J. Smith, Sr.
On Thursday afternoon, at the Thomas Cancer, the Lord came and took his child, Earl Johnson Smith, Sr., to his eternal home. He was born on September 19, 1943 to Mrs. Betty C. Smith and the late Deacon Clarence R. Smith, Sr.
Earl was educated in the Nottoway County Public School system and graduated from the Luther H. Foster High School in the class of 1964. He furthered his education at Southside Vocational School and in 1965 completed his certification as an Electrical Appliance Repairman. He was employed as a Machine Operator in Glen Burnie, MD prior to joining the Army, from which he was honorably discharged on March 20, 1967. He was employed in various other capacities including Bradshaw’s Auto Sales, Sears, Prince Edward State Park, Burkeville Veneer Company, L&M Trucking and lastly retiring as Conductor from CSX Railroad in Richmond in 2003.
At an early age, Earl was baptized and joined the Macedonia Baptist Church in Burkeville where he was active in the Sunday School and Junior Choir. As an adult, he served with the Alms House Ministry and Youth Department. He loved kids, senior citizens, his family and friends.
Drag racing was his passion and this love was a part of his life for over 40 years. He was an active member of the New Breed Racing Club.  He was also an active NAACP member.
Along with his mother, Betty C. Smith, he leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 46 years, Joyce; his two sons, Earl Jr. (Christina) and Carl (Michelle); grandchildren, Earl III, Kristen, Deontre, Dajahna, Carl Jr., Shaisha, Chantel and adopted TamBrea; twin brother, Mearl (Edith); sister, Constance Frasier (Edward); brother Clarence Jr. (Katherine); mother-in-law, Christine Willis; uncle, Lloyd Taylor; nephews, devoted Tony (Tammi), Troy (Tanya) Edward III (Juanita), Landus (Tangila); devoted niece Vhondrena Branch (Prosser); niece and Godchild, Eddrina Brown (Christopher), Shelia (Charles); adopted sisters, Elvira, Sherry, Trudy, Iris, Janice Jones and Mary Alice (Harvey); a host of devoted great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Viewing will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 10 a.m until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Services Wednesday at 12:00 noon at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone with interment in the Johnson Family Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Viewing will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 10 a.m until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Services Wednesday at 12:00 noon at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone with interment in the Johnson Family Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Earl was educated in the Nottoway County Public School system and graduated from the Luther H. Foster High School in the class of 1964. He furthered his education at Southside Vocational School and in 1965 completed his certification as an Electrical Appliance Repairman. He was employed as a Machine Operator in Glen Burnie, MD prior to joining the Army, from which he was honorably discharged on March 20, 1967. He was employed in various other capacities including Bradshaw’s Auto Sales, Sears, Prince Edward State Park, Burkeville Veneer Company, L&M Trucking and lastly retiring as Conductor from CSX Railroad in Richmond in 2003.
At an early age, Earl was baptized and joined the Macedonia Baptist Church in Burkeville where he was active in the Sunday School and Junior Choir. As an adult, he served with the Alms House Ministry and Youth Department. He loved kids, senior citizens, his family and friends.
Drag racing was his passion and this love was a part of his life for over 40 years. He was an active member of the New Breed Racing Club.  He was also an active NAACP member.
Along with his mother, Betty C. Smith, he leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 46 years, Joyce; his two sons, Earl Jr. (Christina) and Carl (Michelle); grandchildren, Earl III, Kristen, Deontre, Dajahna, Carl Jr., Shaisha, Chantel and adopted TamBrea; twin brother, Mearl (Edith); sister, Constance Frasier (Edward); brother Clarence Jr. (Katherine); mother-in-law, Christine Willis; uncle, Lloyd Taylor; nephews, devoted Tony (Tammi), Troy (Tanya) Edward III (Juanita), Landus (Tangila); devoted niece Vhondrena Branch (Prosser); niece and Godchild, Eddrina Brown (Christopher), Shelia (Charles); adopted sisters, Elvira, Sherry, Trudy, Iris, Janice Jones and Mary Alice (Harvey); a host of devoted great nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Viewing will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 10 a.m until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Services Wednesday at 12:00 noon at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone with interment in the Johnson Family Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Viewing will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 10 a.m until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Services Wednesday at 12:00 noon at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone with interment in the Johnson Family Cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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