Albert Smelser Jr.

Albert W. Smelser Jr. PORTSMOUTH - Albert Winifred Smelser Jr., 85, formerly of the 4400 block of Columbia St., passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. A native of Portsmouth, Albert retired from Seaboard Railroad, then went on to work at Portsmouth Naval Hospital where he retired in 1978 and later worked at the Bide-a-Wee Golf Course in the Pro Shop. He was a proud World War II Army veteran with the 31st Infantry and was a member of DAV Chapter No. 41 and Westhaven Baptist Church. Albert was a member of the Western Branch Masonic Lodge No. 189 for more than 60 years; the Portsmouth Scottish Rite Bodies; the Khedive Shrine Temple; Portsmouth Shrine Club; past member of the Port Norfolk Royal Arch Chapter and the Legion of Honor with the Khedive Temple. Albert was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara B. Smelser. He is survived by his daughter, Anna Smelser Corey and her husband Thomas; two grandchildren, Kelly Corey and Thomas Corey III all of North Carolina; and a host of friends. A funeral with Masonic rites will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, with Dr. Tim Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Transportation Fund, c/o Khedive Shrine Center, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320-8930. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.