Ernest Franklin Smith, Jr. (Ernie) died at Life Care Center in New Market, VA on Friday, September 6, 2024. He was 86 years old. Ernie was born in June 1938 in Winchester, VA, the son of Ernest F. Smith, Sr. and Viola Gay Mathias Smith. He graduated from Handley High School and went on to Bridgewater College. Ernie joined the U.S. Army and spent the next three years as an instructor in Army Intelligence at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, MD. In 1962, he married Helen Wampler of Mayland, VA. They lived in Maryland for 42 years before moving to Broadway in 2004.
Ernie was a successful businessman, an avid golfer, a diehard sports fan, a reader, and general handyman who could fix anything. In retirement, when not playing golf, he enjoyed travelling, spending time at the Delaware Shore and celebrating special occasions with his family and friends.
In addition to Helen, his wife of 62 years, Ernie is survived by his daughter Marcy Gonzales and grandson Jason Gonzales of Bowie, MD; his sister Linda S. Camper of Rutherfordton, NC; sisters-in-law Jean W. Cash of Broadway, VA, Carolyn Emswiler of Norristown, PA, and Loretta W. Bowers of Richmond, VA; brothers-in-law Don Odom of Lafayette, LA and Larry Carrier of Broadway, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 P.M. on Friday, September 13 at the Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway. Burial will take place at a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorial contributions be made to Plains District Memorial Museum, P.O. Box 601, Timberville, VA 22853 or to the Broadway-Timberville Ruritans Club, P.O. Box 640, Broadway, VA 22815.
