Benjamin Ford Smith

1924 - 2008

Benjamin Ford Smith, 84, of Glade Hill, Va., went to be with the Lord at his home on Monday, October 20, 2008. Born March 17, 1924, in Franklin County, Ford was a husband, father, grandfather, business man and farmer. As a young man he drove a school bus, operated a sawmill and worked in the tobacco market. He and his wife, Helen, ran Smith Farm Supply for over 20 years. He attended Top Level School for Ralston Purina in St. Louis, Mo., and would tell his children that were the furthest he had been from home until 1978 when he took a hunting trip to Canada. In the early 1960's he and Helen won a trip to New York City to the World's Fair for top sales in DeKalb Seed Company. Ford Smith was the first man to introduce liquid nitrogen to Franklin County. He was proud of his farm and the crops it produced. Since 1965 he has served proudly as owner of Smith Campground on Smith Mountain Lake and was always happy while running his bird dogs and enjoying the outdoors. Preceding Ford in death were his parents, Jasper and Ida B. Smith; and sisters, Christine Holland, Onida Shaon and La Vaughn McCall. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Helen Ingrain Smith; daughters and sons-in-laws, Brenda Solomon and husband, Gary, Jeanette Peters and husband, Raymond; sons and daughter in-law, Benjamin (Benny) Lee Smith, Doug Smith and wife, Dianne; eight grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; and brother, Basil Smith. Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of Lynch Funeral Home 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, with Pastor Judy Short officiating. Interment to follow at Mountain View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home, 140 Floyd Ave. Rocky Mount, Va. 24151.