James Herbert Smith

Published 11:02 am Tuesday, July 3, 2018

James Herbert Smith

James Herbert Smith, 92, a retired railway engineer, of Victoria, Va. passed away July 1, 2018. He was preceded in death by a son, James Randolph “Randy” Smith; sisters, Frances Smith Johnson, Hettie Lee Smith Eden and Betty Lou Smith Gordon; brothers, R. Dewey Smith, Grady A. Smith and Robert B. “Mac” Smith. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Nancy Moore Smith; two sons, Ronald Herbert Smith and Raymond Dennis Smith (Rhonda); 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Joanne Smith Munson (Harley) and Rose Marie “Teenie” Waldrep (Emory); sister-inlaw, Nancy T. Smith widow of Dewey. Jimmy was born in Bladen County, N.C., son of Hettie Hogan Smith and Herbert Lee Smith. In 1950, Jimmy and his wife moved to Victoria where he began his railroad career with the Virginian Railway. He retired from the Norfolk and Southern Railway in 1986 after 36 years. He was originally hired by the Virginian Railroad, a fact that he was very proud of. Jimmy was a member of the Masonic Lodge #304 and a member of the Victoria Baptist Church. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He loved being with his family and always looked forward to the annual Smith Family Reunions. He was known for his excellent Brunswick Stew and for his giving heart. Because he and Nancy were loyal supporters of the Victoria Public Library and the Victoria Fire and Rescue, memorial contributions to theses two organizations are encouraged.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. in the Staples Funeral Home, Victoria. Online condolences may be made at www.staplesfh.com.