Edward M. SMITH Jr.

GLOUCESTER POINT - Edward Marvin (Sody) Smith, Jr. 85, passed away on Dec. 1, 2009, after a short illness.
He was born and raised in the Fox Hill neighborhood in Hampton, Va, and moved to Gloucester Point after retirement.
Sody attended Hampton High School and joined the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was very proud of his service to his country in the 8th Air Force and his country recognized his extraordinary and courageous service 58 years later by awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross. The 8th Air Force was an important entity in his life and he enjoyed traveling to reunion events throughout the country.
Upon his return from military service at the end of the war, he became a devoted family man and was self employed as a successful general contractor. He claimed to have been the first person to drive through the Hampton Roads Tunnel tasked with hauling materials needed on the other side. Even more remarkable was that he had to drive a dump truck backwards, avoiding scaffolding and workmen the entire length.
Sody was a founding member of the Fox Hill Recreation Association and integral in the design and building of the Francis Asbury Softball Park. He loved Fox Hill Fastpitch Softball and traveled the country to National tournaments in support of his team. He was very involved in his community and was a member of the Fox Hill Volunteer Fire Department for 63 years, the Fox Hill Historical Society, American Legion Post 48 and Fox Hill Central United Methodist Church.
Sody was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Marvin and Nina Smith, siblings Marshall Smith, Frances Rubrecht and Geraldine Kastleberg. He was also preceded by the love of his life Mary Smith, his wife of 66 years.
He is survived by daughter Joy Long and husband the Honorable R. Bruce Long, son Craig Smith and wife Christy, grandchildren Cameron and Ashley (Victoria) Long, Leslie (Joshua) Cumbow and Kyle Smith. Sody is also survived by four beloved great-grandsons Conner, Corey, Gavin and Ethan Long, brother-in-law Dr. John Watson and his wife Debbie, sister-in-law Anna Marie Smith and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like thank the caring staff at York Convalescent Home and Mary Immaculate Hospital for their compassion and assistance.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to a favorite charity.
Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at R. Hayden Smith funeral home, 245 South Armistead Ave., Hampton, Va. The funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at R. Hayden Smith funeral home with burial to follow at Parklawn Memorial Park. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.