Thomas Fred Smith, Jr.

                Thomas Fred Smith, Jr., or Pastor Fred, as he was known to many, died June 19, 2023, after suffering complications stemming from a double lung transplant, at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Virginia Smith (Ginger), his 2 children, Virginia Van Liere (Ginny) of Raleigh, NC and her husband Jesse, Thomas Fred Smth, III (Trey) of Brooklyn, NY and his wife, Jessica Penner, 2 aunts, Nancy Elliott, and Lisa Reisner, his uncle Melvin Boyd, his mother-in-law, Margaret Cawood, sister-in-law, Donna Corker, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Grace Braswell, his father, Thomas Fred Smith, Sr., and his step-father, Howard Braswell. He was ordained as a minister in 1987 from Appomattox Bible Institute, and led congregations in Cumberland County, VA, Chesterfield, VA, and finally at Gateway Baptist Church in Chester, VA. Fred loved to travel and explore new places, which led him to go to 49 states in the United States, most of the provinces in Canada, the United Kingdom and even Israel by air, car, or his motorcycle with his wife and children.  He treasured his time outside, whether working on his garden, walking around the neighborhood with his wife, or working on the house that he built. He was an avid reader, rereading his Bible many times, and enjoyed books on military history, biographies, and westerns. The viewing will be held on Saturday June 24, 2023 at the Hillsman-Hix Funeral Home 16409 Court Street  in Amelia, VA from 12-1pm, and the funeral will start at 1pm. He will be buried at Rennie Presbyterian Church near his mother and beloved aunt, Adele Holder. There will be a reception held at the church following the gravesite service.

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