Donald Laroy Smith Sr.

Donald Laroy Smith was called to his eternal rest and peace by his Lord and Savior on December 12, 2025. Don was born on June 14, 1949, to the late Leslie and Hattie Lee Smith in Suffolk, Virginia. He was educated in Suffolk Public Schools and graduated from John Yates High School, where he enjoyed playing varsity football and baseball.

Don continued his education through the Norfolk Navy Shipyard (NNSY) Apprenticeship Program and Tidewater Community College. During his tenure with NNSY, he relished the excitement and opportunity of being selected to work on various ship design projects, traveling to Naval bases across the United States and abroad. He retired from the Design Department of NNSY in 2006 after 33 years of dedicated service.

Don was a faithful member of Little Bethel Baptist Church in Suffolk, Virginia, and later moved his membership to New Hope Baptist Church in Pughsville in Suffolk, Virginia, where he served actively on the Trustee Board until his health declined.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Don was an avid fan of the Colts (both Baltimore and Indianapolis) and the Baltimore Orioles. He enjoyed playing, coaching, and officiating sports. He officiated high school football games as a referee and college football games with the CIAA as a line judge. He also coached and officiated youth and recreational baseball, football, and basketball with local high schools, athletic leagues, and recreation programs. Whenever traveling near an NFL or MLB stadium or NBA arena, Don made it a point to attend a professional game. One of his proudest moments was attending Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta, GA.

Don cherished family life and the camaraderie of friends, colleagues, neighbors, church members, and fellow sports enthusiasts. He was married to the late Charlotte Davis Smith in 1971, and from this union, two children were born: Donald Smith, Jr. and Donyette Smith.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte; his brothers Leslie D. Smith, Jr., Claude Johnson (Ruby), and Bobby; his sisters Lois Holloway (Bennie) and Clarice Gray (William Sr.).

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Kathy Smith of Chesapeake, VA; his son Donald Smith, Jr. (Jannett) of Suffolk, VA; his daughter Donyette Rodgers (Michael), and Erica Ankrom.; his sisters Hattie LaRonda Turner (Thomas, Sr.) of Suffolk, VA, and Cathy Whitley of Hampton, VA; his six grandchildren Alyssa Lawrence, AveryRodgers, Savannah Smith, and Ashton Rodgers Erica Ankrom, Alberto Smith and Brian Smith.; one great- grandchild, Alexander Smith; his brother-in-law William Gray, Sr. of St. Louis, MO; his nephews Thomas Turner, Jr., Jarrett Smith, and Billy Gray; and his niece Kim Parks.

Don's legacy is lovingly carried forward not only by his immediate family but alongside many other relatives, friends, neighbors, church members, and fellow sports enthusiasts. They will remember Don for his warmth, dedication, and the joy he brought to every gathering.

Viewing: Thursday, December 18, 2025 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Metropolitan Funeral Service 5605 Portsmouth Boulevard Portsmouth, VA
Celebration of Life: WATCH ONLINE: https://youtube.com/@newhopebaptistpughsville6391?si=cwncAGjaXHGFzNEV Friday, December 19, 2025 11:00 AM New Hope Baptist Church 4260 Pughsville Road Suffolk, VA
Laid to Rest: Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens 4569 Shoulders Hill Road Suffolk, VA