Fred Dempsey Smith, Sr

Fred Dempsey Smith, Sr., died peacefully on Sunday, November 7, 2010, after a six month battle with cancer. He died at his home in Ararat, Virginia, the home he built for his beloved wife, Maybelle, in 1947. He was born November 11, 1922, in Ararat, Virginia, the eldest of Davis and Irene Smith's four children. He was predeceased in death by his parents; his wife of 61 years, Maybelle; and his sister, Hester S. Joyce. He is survived by his son, Fred D. Smith, Jr. and his wife, Becky, of Martinsville, Virginia; and his daughter, Becky Holland and her husband, Garland, of Ararat, Virginia; five grandchildren, Julie, Emily, Jenny, Davis, and Greer; and four great-grandchildren, Eliza, Olivia, Emmett, and Jake. He is also survived by his sister, Jean S. Cook of Mount Airy, North Carolina; his brother, Davis Reid Smith, Jr. of Ararat, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews. To say that he was devoted to his family seems inadequate. Every member of his family has a story to tell about his love, his kindness, and his generosity. Except for a few boyhood years when his parents lived in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and Salem, Virginia, one and a half years working in the Newport News shipyards before three years of service in the Army during World War II, he lived his entire life in Ararat where he graduated from Blue Ridge High School in 1939. He served overseas in the Philippines with the 1068th Engineers Service Detachment as a diver performing underwater salvage, construction, and demolition work. He was awarded the American Theater Service Medal; the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; the Philippine Liberation service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; the Good Conduct Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of The Fellowship Church and one of its predecessor churches, Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church, for 70 years. He served his church in nearly every capacity including Elder, Sunday school teacher, trustee, and chairperson of many committees. Throughout his life he gave generously to his church of his time, wise counsel, and resources. He did the same for the Ararat community. His quiet leadership and dedication to his community through his work in the Ararat Ruritan Club were instrumental in Ararat having better services and more opportunities for its citizens. He was actively involved in the construction of the gym at Blue Ridge and the rescue squad building. He was recognized for his long service as one of the first recipients of the Thomas Downing award from the National Ruritan Club. He never really retired. He remained an active businessman until he became ill in the spring of this year. The Ararat Service Center which he built in 1952 and which he ran until 1973 remains a fixture in the community. He built nineteen single family homes and eight duplex apartment units. He always flirted with farming by raising a few cows, mainly for him to look at from his breezeway, and someone else, like his brother Reid, to look after. He was an avid golfer and sports fan. The list of golfing, baseball, and racing friends was long and loyal. The visitation will take place at The Fellowship Church, 5101 Ararat Highway, Ararat, Virginia, on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to visit the family at Fred's home in Ararat, 4678 Friends Mission Road, at any time. A graveside service will be conducted at Oakdale Cemetery, North Main Street, Mount Airy, North Carolina, at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 10, 2010, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at The Fellowship Church. Moody Funeral Services of Mount Airy, North Carolina, is in charge of the arrangements. While expressions of sympathy and love through food are wonderful, in these difficult times for so many people, the family requests that food contributions be made to the Patrick County Food Bank and that instead of flowers please contribute to The Fellowship Church (Post Office Box 80, Ararat, Virginia 24053), the Dan River Park (Post Office Box 35, Ararat, Virginia 24053), Mountain Valley Hospice, (22099 Jeb Stuart Highway, Stuart, Virginia 24171) or the American Cancer Society.