Larry Smith

Brother Larry Smith, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and veteran, entered eternal rest surrounded by love. Born on May 11, 1953, at Camp Kilmer Military Base in Piscataway, NJ, to the late Marshall and Nora Vance Smith; Larry was the third of six siblings. From an early age, Larry’s love for learning was evident. He began his education at Lee M. Waid School, and his thirst for knowledge carried him through a remarkable life of service and teaching – but if it took you too long to get the job done, his teaching would turn into “let me show you how to do it.”

Larry proudly served 20 years in the United States Army, retiring in 1998. After his military career, he continued to learn and share his expertise in plumbing and electricity, teaching others the skills he mastered. His daughters always believed he was the wisest man they knew—and they still do to this day. If Larry needed to know something, he would pull out a book and get the job done. 

If he needed to get to a location, he’d pull out his map or an atlas and hit the road – he didn’t believe in using the GPS which he probably should have when the family took off for Myrtle Beach and it took him 8 hours to arrive opposed to the 6. Needless to say, everyone had jokes!

Larry’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. Before joining the church, his mother believed he was destined to be a preacher because of his passion for talking about the Lord and encouraging others to build a relationship with Him. Larry loved God, his family, music, food, and laughter. He had a few signature songs, one of which was - “In That Great Getting Up Morning” a Sunday favorite with his grandsons, Jayron and Elijah, while he prepared his famous sausage and gravy. He loved the Cleveland Browns, no matter how much trash people talked, including his sons-in-laws, he was not going to leave them high and dry. He was also a great jokester, even when his wife would have to reel him in and he would lovingly respond, “alright Sandy.”

Known affectionately as “Pa,” by his grandkids and “Smith,” “Brother Lutha,” and “Sergeant” by many others, Larry was a soldier with a tender heart. He loved to feed people, laugh, and cry. He shed tears at weddings, baptisms, graduations, and yes, even football games. This past Father’s Day, his daughters sang a song he taught them as little girls—Larry cried, and so did Trini and Xy. He was an encourager who faced life’s challenges with resilience, often saying, “Suck it up, toughen up, and do the best you can.” He lived by this philosophy, even after miraculously surviving multiple health episodes that claimed the lives of many others. His strength was legendary—just ask his youngest grandbaby, Jaylen.

Larry was preceded in death by his siblings Vann Smith and Karl (Patsy) Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Sandra P. Smith; his son Calvin Craighead; daughters Tykinna (Greg) Hairston, Katrinea (Jaran) Martin, and Xyleena Smith, all of Rocky Mount, VA; sisters Toni Patterson of Roanoke, VA, Terrie Smith Edwards and Renee Smith both of Rocky Mount, VA; nine grandchildren—Tyler Dudley, Jayron Smith, Elijah Witcher, Xa’ryah Witcher, Isaiah Smith, Lincoln Blankenship, Selah Smith, Jace Martin, and Jaylen Martin; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever treasure his memory.

Larry’s life was a testament to faith, perseverance, and love. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.