Clay Stuart Smith

Clay Stuart Smith, 72, of Fredericksburg, Virginia passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Mary Washington Hospital.

Clay graduated from James Monroe High School in 1971, attended VCU, and graduated from UVA Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management in 1982.

Clay played center position for the James Monroe football team where he was selected for the 1970 All-Battlefield Team. His coach, Jake Maynard, rated him among his best since taking over the coaching reign of JM's football team in 1952.

In addition to competitive sports awards, he received a distinguished community service award from the Rappahannock Area United Way Inc. Campaign award in 1982. In the same year, Clay was elected president for the Fredericksburg Chapter of American Institute of Banking. Clay was a loan officer and security officer for the National Bank of Fredericksburg, assistant branch manager and loan officer at Southside Bank in Bowling Green, Va, and transitioned to Eastern Virginia Bank in Atlee, Va where he medically retired.

Clay loved golfing with his many friends over the years, but the time he spent with his best friend, Billy Jones, and nephew, Jonathan Stone, was especially meaningful. Together they shared a close bond and celebrated winning several tournaments side by side. Clay scored his first official hole-in-one on August 11, 2005, at Hunting Hawk, hole number 8, 194 years with a 7 wood.

Clay enjoyed all types of fishing, especially bass fishing where he won numerous tournaments alongside his best friend, Pappy. Clay was awarded many trophy fish citations for outstanding angling achievements for large mouth bass, white and yellow perch, blue catfish (32 lbs.), and salt water speckled gray trout.

Clay enjoyed watching a variety of sports: the Cowboys, college basketball, golf, Nascar but his favorite was standing on the sidelines cheering on his daughters playing field hockey where he never missed a game. In later years, he proudly watched his grandchildren play baseball, soccer, and Taekwondo.

Survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Michelle M. Smith; daughters Sarah Nave (Daniel) and Candice Marsh (Brett); four grandchildren, Evan and Camden Nave and Kendall and Bryce Marsh; brother Johnny Smith (Cathy); sister Jennie Jones; along with several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frances and J. Edmond Smith.

A service will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your locate animal shelters and rescue.