James William (Neighbor) Smith rode his Honda Gold Wing to Heaven on Monday, November 18, 2019 at his residence at the age of 96.

He was born January 17, 1923 in Lexington, Virginia to the late William Floyd Smith and Ola May Terry Smith in a small apartment overlooking the Maury River.

He married Virginia Frances Thurston at the home of her parents, Carrie and Winston Thurston, in Selma, Virginia, December 30, 1946.

James lived through the depression and as a young boy worked on dairy farms in Poplar Hills, Lexington, Va. Even during these difficult times, he always had nothing but fond memories of growing up with his brothers and sisters in Rockbridge County. He had a strong worth ethic, and always said no job was too small and each job provided him with another opportunity to move forward in life. As a young man he worked for the C&O Railroad as a machinist helper before and after the war. He retired from Smith's Transfer Trucking Company in 1986. James earned the nickname "Neighbor" as he would always greet each and every one with "It's a fine day neighbor".

James was a World War II veteran and served in the United States Army, 2nd Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron from 1943-1945. Battles and campaigns, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes Rhineland and Central Europe. He drove a tank called the M-24 Chaffee. The tank Squadrons were known to the German High Command as the "Ghosts of Patton's Army" as they seemingly materialized behind Germany lines. He said he used his tool box to store a lot of French wine. James and his wife traveled to Europe twice and visited France and Luxembourg, places he had served.

He was the Sunday School Superindent at the Selma Epworth United Methodist Church, having served in the position for over sixty years. He sang in the Church choir directed by his daughter, Charlotte, and over the years this was made more special as grandchildren and great grandchildren also joined the church and sang in the choir. He loved his church and his church family.

In addition to his parents, he is proceeded in death by his wife, Virginia Frances Thurston; a son, James William Smith, Jr.; an infant daughter, Susan Marie Smith; two sisters, Lillie Estelle Hunt of Lexington, Va and Beulah Virginia Chapman of Petersburg, Va; a brother, Charles Houston Smith, Chesterfield, Va.

He is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Smith Brown of Covington, Beverly Parchen and husband, Michael of Annandale, Va; five grandchildren, Susan Brown, Chad Brown, Carrie Baker and husband, Nick, all of Covington; Katie Parchen of Austin, Tx, Jamie Jo Fisher and husband, Jason of Covington; former granddaughter-in-law, Pam Brown; former grandson-in-law, Chris Nicely; 15 great grandchildren, Morgan and Maddy Nicely, Tavi Wright, Hunter and Brianna Brown, Liam, Emma, Isaac Baker, Jenny, James, Joseph Caldwell, Jay Jessie Jarica, Jordan Fisher; sons-in-laws, Bobby Brown, Johnny Taylor; two brothers, Carl Junior Smith and wife, Lucille of Colonial Heights, Va, Herman G. Smith of Roxboro, NC; a daughter-in-law, Deena Sizemore Smith of Selma, Virginia and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Jonathan Greer officiating. Interment will follow in Central Advent Christian Church Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Ricky Thurston, Tony Thurston, Robert Ryder, CR Nicely, Don Saville, and Mike Michie. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. .

The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Epworth United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 190, Selma, VA 24422.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.