James Thomas Smith

1926 - 2021

James T. Smith - 8/27/1926 - 8/21/2021 also known as Jimmy, Jim, JT, Smitty, Daddy, Popo, Grandad, & GG. He died unexpectedly and is survived by his 3 daughters whom he adored, Sharon SmithWinstead (Cecil), Cheryl Dawn Blair (Gary), and Wendy Plemmons (Lee); his grandchildren, Allen Smith, Leigh Saat (Chris), Blair Hartzell (John), Sabrina Sherwood, Gary Alan Blair, Mitchell Halman, and Garrett Halman (Molly); and great-grandchildren, Noah, Gauge, Jeremiah, Anna, & Arlene. He was predeceased by his wife, Arlene, of 53 years who was the love of his life and a son, Joe Brown.

Jimmy taught his children that family is the most important thing. Large Family Dinners/Celebrations grew as his family grew. Jimmy was a storyteller - reminding us of all his adventures in life. Growing up in Downtown Norfolk's Ghent. A WWII Veteran spending his 19th birthday in Tokyo Bay as they signed the treaty to end the war. Returning to Norfolk to Graduate from Maury High School with the other Veterans. He soon worked for and retired from NARF- Naval Air Rework Facility as a Sparrow Missile Specialist -being one of the few civilians with working

knowledge.

Once Retired in 1983 he worked (only to keep busy) as a stagehand at the Scope - he would come home sharing stories about the concerts.

Jimmy was a Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite and a Shriner (Arab Patrol). He loved the Shriners and him and his wife Arlene attended every Oyster Roast, Picnic and Dance.

Jimmy loved working in the yard - the family home had many flower beds made from the cobblestones of Downtown Norfolk Streets full of Azaleas, a large garden that produced too many vegetables (so he would share with his neighbors) and a small in-ground pool (that he built) and was used by all his children and grandchildren. Jimmy could fix just about anything - whether it was a toaster or a vacuum he would have it apart on the dining room table bringing them back to life for a few more years. He loved watching sports, but especially NASCAR and Football. In closing, the family would like to extend our gratitude to Marian Manor Retirement Community where he spent his last year.

The Service is being handled by Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Dr. Chapel with a Graveside Service at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Friday 8/27 (it would have been his 95th Birthday) at 10am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, Khedive Temple, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320 in memory of Jimmy Smith. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.