Clayton Smith Sr.

On Friday, August 21, 2020, God said, “You have fought long enough” so he fit you with your heavenly wings and you ascended peacefully into eternity from Southside Regional Medical Center.

MSG. Clayton G. Smith, Sr., affectionately known as “Smitty,” was born in Columbus, Ohio on February 23, 1937 to the late Oren R and Grace C Smith.

Clayton was a veteran who served his country proudly for twenty-two years in the United States Army achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He was in the Vietnam War and did three tours in Korea. While in service he achieved many accomplishments such as Bronze Star and a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Chapman College. After retiring from the Army in 1979, he began working at Synoptic Systems in Petersburg, Virginia as a Systems Analyst until he retired.

In the Holy Bible, Psalm 37:23 states “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way.” Clayton was a living and moving example of this Scripture.  He was a very loving, kind, gentle, and devoted man.  His sense of humor and witty personality made it so easy and enjoyable to be around him. Other than spending most of his time with family, his other passions in life were reading books and collecting and restoring old cars.  He was always reading and thoroughly enjoying his Kindle Books.  Clayton definitely made a positive and lasting impact to all who encountered him especially on his family and friends. His son once said to him, I would love to be rich to which he replied, you already are. You have a beautiful family and that is all a man needs. Enjoy it. He was always spoiling his family, especially his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He lived out and taught his family the Golden Rule in life, which the dictionary defines is a basic principle that should always be followed to ensure success in general or in a particular activity.  In essence it is the Biblical rule found in Matthew 7:12 “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Clayton always encouraged his children and led his family with great guidance, great morals and values.  Life is what you make of it and you shouldn’t expect something for nothing were other principles he lived out and taught his family to live by.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Patricia Anderson and Virginia Bozzacco; and brother, Daniel Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Julia Smith; one son, Clayton G. Smith, Jr. (Donna); two daughters, Karen Capps (Carl) and Laura Moore (Alan); one brother, L. Michael Smith (Elsie); and one sister, Carolyn Huntzinger (Howard); two brothers-in-law, Andy Anderson and Jamie Bauzocco; and one sister-in-law, Diane Smith; grandchildren: Ben Smith (Stephanie), Christina Mitchell, Christopher Smith (Amy), Jessica Watson (Tom), Stephanie Hammons (Nick), Robert Mitchell, and Alexandra Moore; fifteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends to include his extended family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at the Crater Road Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at the funeral home. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com .