George Franklin Smith, Jr., age 73, of 2708 Valley Ridge Road, Covington, Virginia, died Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at his residence.

He was born October 6, 1942 in Craven County, North Carolina, to the late George Franklin Smith, Sr. and Ruby Mitchell Smith.

He served in the United States Navy and was a retired automotive mechanic for Alleghany Motor Company of Covington.

He attended United Pentecostal Holiness Lighthouse Church.

He loved country music fan and enjoyed playing guitar and singing, as well as mechanic work.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Lee Smith, and a brother Charles Smith.

He is survived by a daughter, Crystal Smith Elmore and husband, Dennis of Valley Ridge, Covington; two sisters, Ella Glover and husband, Jerry, and Dorothy Smith, both of Gates, NC; two brothers, Raymond Smith and wife, Darlene of Cove City, NC, and Eddie Smith of Greer, SC; five grandchildren, Alizabeth Stanley, Brandi Elmore, Cordale Elmore, Dalaynie Elmore, and Ethaneal Elmore; a special granddaughter, Emily Elmore; two great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and special friends, Cooter Clark and Paul Terry.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Gordon Hammond officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor.

Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by members of the Curtis A. Smith VFW Post 4299.

Active pallbearers will be Billy Broughman, Ricky Tinsley, Charlie Dunbar, Cody Prior, Dillon Dunbar, and Randy Tinsley. Cordale Elmore will be an alternate pallbearer. The family will receive friends on Friday morning from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home and other times at the residence.