James Earnest Smith, 88, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, at Sanders Nursing Facility in Gloucester, Virginia. Known to all as “Jim” and to a privileged few as “Nessie,” he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a dedicated public servant.

Born on October 7, 1937, in Smyth County, Virginia, to Garland E. “Tony” Smith and Ella Mae Kell, Jim graduated from Marion High School in 1957. Following graduation, he moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where he embarked on a career spanning over 30 years as a cartographer for the Department of Defense. He also honorably served in the National Guard from 1962 to 1965.

On April 17, 1964, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Boone (Patsy). They raised their family in Centreville, Virginia, where they resided for over 40 years before retiring to Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2009.

After retiring from the Department of Defense in 1994, Jim turned his passion for golf into a second career at Chantilly National Golf & Country Club, where he served as the Director of Play for 14 years. An avid sportsman, Jim was a Washington Redskins season ticket holder for nearly four decades, a lifelong New York Yankees fan, and an ardent supporter of Duke Blue Devils basketball. In his later years, he found joy in woodworking, crafting personalized American flags for loved ones, and solving Sudoku puzzles. Above all, Jim’s greatest joy was his family; he never missed a chance to travel, regardless of the weather, to cheer on his grandchildren at their lacrosse and baseball games.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia; his daughter, Amy Elizabeth Roesner; his brother, Kenneth Smith; and his sisters, Janie Thomas and Ruth Coe.

He is survived by his daughter, Julie Ann Fiorino (Anthony); his son, James Matthew Smith (Penn); his sister, Evelyn Taylor; and his four grandchildren, Jackson Garland Smith, Nina Moir Smith, Vincenzo James Fiorino, and Madeline Bourne Roesner. He also leaves behind a host of extended family and dear friends who will miss his passion and steadfast presence.

Our family would like to extend special thanks to Sanders Assisted Living in Gloucester, Virginia, and particularly to the staff at Heron Cove 1 and Riverside, as well as Walter Reed Hospice.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC. Additionally, a celebration of life will be held in Northern Virginia (date to be determined).