John Everett Smith was born January 11, 1935, to Reverend Richard Warner Smith and Martha Alberta Gayle Smith in Gloucester County, VA.
John graduated from high school at Gloucester Training School in 1952. After graduation, he attended Norfolk State College (Little State). In 1955 John joined the United States Air Force and served until 1959. Following his military duty, he married the love of his life, Maryland Isabell Ellis on the 23rd of January,1960. From this union, came three children, Michael Everett, Michelle Antoinette, and Mark Ellis Smith. John was preceded in death by his parents and son, Mark Ellis.
John accepted Christ at a youthful age and joined Union Zion Baptist Church in Gloucester VA.
John was employed at Langley Air Force Base until his retirement. He served as a civil servant for over 37 years.
He was a faithful member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA where he served as a choir member and a deacon of the church. In November 2000, John became a licensed Baptist minister and served as an associate minister of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church until his death. He dutifully served his church and community for over 20 years and found it a blessing to do so.
John’s favorite pastimes included motorcycle riding, RV traveling, fishing, boating, singing, and spending time with friends and family. John made friends wherever he went and during his travels, whether work related or personal, his friendships lasted for many years. He loved to counsel the young and the old and taught Bible Study at his church. John was well known in his immediate community and affectionately called “Smitty” by neighbors and his buddies.
He often emphasized the importance of staying connected with family. He had a great love for his family and stayed in touch by weekly calls or visits. In recent years, he learned to video chat with family members, just so he could see their faces during the conversation and observe their attitude. He loved life and often shared his gift to gab and sense of humor to the delight of others.
Mr. John E. Smith transitioned from life on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 1:47 AM at Chesapeake Regional Hospital. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Maryland of 62 years, his son Michael of Imperial Beach CA, his daughter Michelle/Shorty Ferebee (John) of Chesapeake VA, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He also leaves his twin brother Richard Smith (Marian) of Hampton VA, his sister Mary Smith-Gordon of Gloucester VA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Condolences(9)-
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Wilhemenia E. Greene says
July 31, 2022 at 6:56 amMaryland, Michelle, Michael, Richard, Mary and the rest of the family:We share in your loss and pray God’s greatest comfort during this difficult time. I will always cherish the way John could light up a room with his smile, keep you laughing and stressed the importance of God’s blessings. I remember riding on the back of his motorcycle during a time he visited Ware Neck. I was scared but he made it a fun, “quick” ride. He was a great guy and a loving first cousin. He will be missed but never ever forgotten. Love You All! Wilhemenia, Kelvin, Ellen
Cheryl Alexander says
July 31, 2022 at 9:02 amMichael, Michelle, and family: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I always used to see him when I ride around the block and we would wave to each other. Parkwood will not be the same. Just know God has him now and he is in great hands.Thinking of you all at this difficult time. I will keep you and the family in prayer. Love all, Cheryl Alexander (Lynch)
Elizabeth Harrwll says
August 1, 2022 at 10:11 amSorry for your lost. Praying for the family and may the Lord keep you during this time!
Trudy Stiff says
August 5, 2022 at 7:13 amTo: Mrs Smith and the family. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you. May God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Mich love to you, 😘
Rev.Calvin David & Mrs Jacqueline Brown Jr says
August 5, 2022 at 9:07 amTo Sister Maryland Smith and family.
During this time of bereavement Jackie and I offer our heartfelt condolences.
We too share in your loss and will carry our memories of John in our hearts.
We pray that the Lord will comfort you and the family with His peace, surround you with His love, and fill you with His presence, for His grace is sufficient.
“Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up, just in fact as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).
Rev. Calvin David Brown, Jr 😇
Johnanna and Willie Williams says
August 5, 2022 at 8:16 amTo: Cousins Maryland, Michael, Michelle, Richard, Mary, and the rest of our Family
John may be physically gone from our presence, but he is ever present in our hearts and minds. I think all would agree that he made an indelible print on our world, and for this, we are grateful for the time shared. We so regret that we cannot be there in person at John’s homegoing, but we are there in spirit. May we all find solace in the time God has given us as we celebrate his life!
With prayers and love,
2 Corinthians: 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we receive from God.
Roderick Smith says
August 5, 2022 at 1:37 pmMichelle I am so sorry for your loss we all know your dad was a good man and I’m going to keep you Michael and your mom in our prayers
Cynthia Smith Jennings says
August 6, 2022 at 3:55 amIn the back of my head I knew this day would come. But all of my life you have been that rock. The one person I knew I could count on no matter what. You and Uncle Richard were the closest thing to a dad I had next to my Grandaddy. And even though my head knows that you are in a better place my heart is broken in pieces. Thank you Uncle Daddy for your unconditional love. For being there for all of the important moments in my life. For loving my children like a grandad. For loving my husband like your son. Thank you Michelle and Michael for sharing him with me. Thank you Auntie for being my second mom. I can’t begin to know what this loss means for you but I know that Uncle would want all of us to be strong. To carry on the legacy he left behind. To live life to the fullest just like he did, but most of all to love one another as Christ has loved us. Rest in his loving hands Uncle. You have earned your stripes. You have finished the race and you have received your crown in Glory! I know you are up in heaven with your parents and auntie Julia singing in the angelic choir. I can almost hear your signature ooh. I’m proud to be one of John’s girls!! Thank you to the many family and friends who have called, sent a text or left a message. Please continue to keep our family lifted up in prayers (especially my auntie). This one will take a minute!
Betty Raynor (Bermuda) says
August 28, 2022 at 9:14 amTo Richard, Mariane, and family, my deepest condolences on the loss of your most precious brother, John. Our God in all His Wisdom gave the world Two, a Richard and a John to spread His love, and has now called John home to be with Him. Richard, Our God has His Loving Arms around each of you and will continue to Sustain the Smiths on this journey of losing someone so dear and precious. God’s blessings always, with much love in His name.