Mr. Claude Baker Smalts Jr.

1916 - 2007

Claude Baker Smalts, Jr., 91, died Sunday, December 30, 2007 at the Winchester Medical Center.

Mr. Smalts was born May 15, 1916 in Winchester, Va., the son of Claude B. Sr. and Bessie Heatwole Smalts. He married Cornelia Racey "Connie" Smalts on November 21, 1934 in Frederick, Md. They were married for 69 years until her death on July 16, 2004.

He was a graduate of John Handley High School Class of 1934. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Smalts entered the retail flower business in 1934 and was the owner and operator of Smalts Florist.

Throughout his life he gave his time to local government and numerous civic, professional and service organizations. He served on the Winchester City Council from 1948 until 1956 and served as President of the Council from 1956 to 1964. He was Vice Mayor of Winchester from 1954 to 1956 and Mayor from 1956 to 1964. He was an honorary member of the Winchester Rescue Squad and of the Fraternal Order of Police Association. He was a long time member and past Vice-Chairman of the Winchester Democratic Committee.

Mr. Smalts was member and past President of both the District 3-H Florists Transworld Delivery Association (FTD) and The Middle Atlantic Florist Association and received the FTD Association Outstanding Member Award for the State of Virginia. He served on the Board of Directors for the Shenandoah National Bank for many years starting in 1955 and served on the Corporation Winchester Memorial Hospital Board until his death.

He was past Vice President of the Winchester Jaycees where he was awarded Life Time Honorary Membership and received the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1951 as well as the "Boss of the Year" award in 1973. He was a member, past President and past Director of the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and received their "Outstanding Citizen Award" in 1964.

Mr. Smalts was the last living charter member and a past President of the Winchester Exchange Club. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Legion of the Moose, Elks, American Legion, Izaak Walton League, Judges Athletic Association, Eagles Club, an honorary life member of the Optimist Club, a past Executive Secretary of the S.P.C.A. and served on the Boards of both the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and in 2005 received The Cross of Military Service from the Daughters of the Confederacy. He was also a long time member of Braddock Street United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his three daughters, Bessie S. Solenberger and husband, C. Robert, of Winchester, Anna Margaret "Effie" Reid and husband, Jack, of Belmont, N.C. and Carol S. Frailey and husband, Chuck, of Winchester; one sister, Pauline Spring of Rockville, Md.; eight grandchildren, Diane Kearns, Katherine Whitesell, Barbara Lintecum, Tal Reid, Todd Reid, Christyn Reid, Inga Walden and Mike Cahak, Jr.; and thirteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by special friend and caregiver, Sheila Smeltzer. A brother, Franklin W. Smalts preceded him in death.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 4, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home Chapel in Winchester with Rev. Mike Mayton and Rev. Mary Lock officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Hebron Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Arthur Kearns, Doug Whitesell, Terry Lintecum, Tal Reid, Todd Reid, and Mike Cahak, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Winchester Exchange Club.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home in Winchester.

In lieu of memorial contributions, please send flowers.