Everett Smith, Jr. ("Junior"), 92, of Hillsville, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy, North Carolina, with family present. He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Everett and Mamie (Thomas) Smith, and his loving wife of 72 years, Vicie (Bowman) Smith, who passed away just five months ago in November 2023. Survivors include daughters Patty Smith, Becky Burke, and Shelly Cook; son-in-law Brian Cook; grandchildren Travis Burke, Clinton Burke, and Reagan Cook, and grand-dogs, Piper and Holly.

An only child, Junior was born in Hillsville, Virginia, and grew up working on the family farm and having fun with cousins and neighborhood friends. He married his high school sweetheart, Vicie Bowman on June 23, 1951. In 1952 he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army and performed equipment maintenance for a medical unit in Korea. Upon returning stateside in 1954 he returned to Hillsville and later moved his family to Manassas, Virginia where he began his own construction business. He finished his career improving foreclosure properties for Ameribank while living in Nokesville, Virginia.

While he enjoyed his work, Junior was always a farmer at heart. He loved working outdoors, baling hay, tending gardens, and raising beef cattle. After retirement, he went back to his roots and returned to Hillsville to farm full-time, just like he always wanted. His hobbies later in life included tinkering with old trucks and farm tractors, playing old bluegrass songs on his guitar, and spending time with friends and family.

Junior was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. He was a gentle soul who never met a person or animal he didn't love – and who didn't love him in return. Over the years, he took in a dozen (or more) stray cats who followed him around the farm, even riding in the tractor with him every day if he would allow. He looked forward to visits from his children and grandchildren, and instilled in them the value of hard work and a love for country life.

A service celebrating Junior's life will be held on Friday, May 3rd at 2:00 PM at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel on Main Street in Hillsville, with Pastor Wendell Horton officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, from 12:30 until 2:00 prior to the service time.  Burial to follow at Gladesboro Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to gather following the burial at Junior's home, 2926 Gladesboro Road, Hillsville, VA.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity or the charity of your choice. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.