Marvin Chapman Smith, Jr., 86, of Roanoke, or “Buddy” as he was affectionately known by most, made his peaceful journey to Heaven on Thursday, July 5, 2018 following a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was preceded in death by his most cherished and loving wife of 61 years, Betty Jo Reid Smith of Roanoke.
Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Betty Ann Anderson and husband, Joe, of Clifton Forge; daughters, Ann Smith Gurley and husband, Lynn of Roanoke, and Sarah Smith Boblett and husband, Howard, of Martinsville; and sons, Marvin Chapman Smith III of Madison and David Stuart Smith and wife, Sheri of Salem; grandchildren, Christopher Stuart Boblett and wife, Adria, of Rocky Mount, Amanda Gurley Wright and husband, Casey, of Salem, Lauren Elizabeth Boblett and fiancé, Will, of Roanoke, Tyler Alan Gurley and wife, Brittany of Vinton, Wyatt Porter Smith of Salem, and Sawyer Reid Smith of Salem; great-grandchildren, Kaylin Boblett, Camden Boblett, and Paisley Gurley; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Reid Laughlin and husband, Jim of Massanutten; nephew, Reid Laughlin and wife, Shelia, and their sons, Jacob and Zachary Laughlin of Massanutten; brother-in-law, David Reid and wife, Frankie, of Evington; niece, Grace Verderosa and husband, John, of Evington.
Buddy adored every one of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He beamed whenever he got the chance to see them. There was nothing he loved more than his family, but he was extremely proud of his service to his country by serving in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He began his naval career on June 12, 1952 and served honorably until June 11, 1960. Buddy spent most of his time in the Navy as an ALCOR (Air Logistics Coordinator). His purpose was to set up and assign flights to transport cargo, mail, and supplies to the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. Buddy’s stint in the Navy took him to many beautiful places. He spent time in places such as Bainbridge, Maryland, at Patuxent River Naval Air Test Center USA, Port Lyautey, Casablanca French Morocco, Naples and Rome Italy, Palmero, Sicily, Algeria, Algiers, Argentina, Malta, Germany, Norway, Spain, Greece, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and many others. Upon completion of his duties, he returned home to get married and start a family. Buddy loved hunting whitetail deer and catching trout. He was an avid golfer and continued to play until his cancer prevented it. He retired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad after more than 30 years of service. He was also a faithful member of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church where he was a Deacon.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 1837 Grandin Road, SW, Roanoke, VA, 24015.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at John M. Oakey & Son Chapel, Salem, with the Rev. Andrew Whaley officiating. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. A committal with military honors will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park’s Veterans’ Garden, Salem.