Ralph Lewis Smith, Sr. "Smitty", 87, of Norfolk died on February 23, 2002.
Born in Eastlake, North Carolina on July 1, 1914, he moved to Virginia in 1941 and married Lessie Madeline Hines on January 3, 1942. He entered the Army in 1942 and served in the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII. He served in the Battle of the Bulge. He came home in December 1945. He started barbering in the military and continued after his discharge. He had several shops during his 58 years of service to this community. He was well loved, respected and patronized as "Smitty" the barber.
Smitty was an animal lover who fed and nurtured every stray coming and going. He had a dog named Floppy and numerous stray cats.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lessie Madeline Smith; six children, Peter Ralph Brannan and wife Margaret, Ralph Lewis Smith, Jr. and wife Jan, Sandra Kay Brockway and husband Jim, Floyd Thomas Smith, Sr. and wife Janice, Alexis Smith Bailey and husband Mark and Eric Jason Smith, Sr. and wife Tina; eighteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who loved him as "Frampy".
He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him and loved him so much.
We love you honey, daddy, frampy, Smitty and friend.
The visitation will be held on Monday, February 25, 2002 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Altmeyer Funeral Home. The funeral ceremony will be held in the Virginia Beach Pentecostal Church at 15th and Baltic on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 at 11:00am with Pastor Edgar Kent officiating. Burial to follow in Colonial Grove Memorial Park.
2-26-02 A tribute to Smitty I knew Smitty as a barber and a friend for 42 years. His smile and greeting when you walked into his shop was wonderful and lifted your spirits to a new high. The shop will not be the same with Smitty gone. I and others will miss this kind and generous person. God take care of Smitty. Your friend, DON :-
I just read about your loss. I am so sorry and express my condolences to all of you.
I hadn’t seen smitty since 1988 but I will always think of him as a friend of the family.
I know he is missed by all of you but as long as you think of him everyday he will live forever.
Again, my condolences.
Jim and Susan Talbot
Mrs. Smith and Family: I extend to you and your family my deepest sympathy. I know your husband will be missed by you and his loving family. Keep the memories of him forever in your hearts. God Bless you all.
We are praying for your family in
this time of earthly grief.
We are your neighbors and we live
across from Mike and Amy Jo and David. God Bless You