Norris Franklin Smith

SMITH, Norris Franklin, 89, of Martinsville, Va., died Tuesday, August 25, 2009. He was born in Mayodan, N.C. on August 4, 1920 to the late Robert Hunter Smith and Estelle Shropshire Smith. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and saw action in the Atlantic and Pacific. In the floor covering industry for decades, he was Regional Manager for Alden Carpets and owner of Vantage House Carpets for over 35 years. Norris was an avid golfer and participant in numerous tournaments throughout the years. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Thelma Lipford Smith; and three sons, Nelson Frank Smith and wife, Kay, of Martinsville, William Temple Smith of Martinsville and Robert Hunter Smith II and wife, Heather, of Richmond; nine grandchildren, including Hayden and Carthen of Richmond; and four great-grandchildren. A private service will be held today, Thursday, August 27, 2009, and burial will be in Roselawn Burial Park, Martinsville.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.