James Smith

James Ernest (Jimmy) Smith, Jr., 96, of Danville, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at Bright Leaf Place. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Townes Funeral Home at 215 West Main Street, Danville. The family will receive visitors for an hour before and also after the service. Jimmy was born on June 14, 1921 in Danville, son of James E. (Flat) Smith and Lucille Hawker Smith. He married Dania Marie Hanes on January 29, 1947 in Danville. She died on November 10, 2007. Survivors include one daughter, Christie (Ron) Herndon of Blairs, VA; two sons, Jim (Debbie) Smith of Champaign, IL, and David Smith of Cedar Grove, NC; five grandchildren, Evan Smith of Tokyo, Japan, Katherine Smith and Helen Smith of Washington, DC, Caroline (Jay) Wilson of Brown’s Summit, NC, and Nina Truax of Raleigh, NC; four great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Caleb, Jack, and Anya; and his brother, Milton Langhorne Smith of West Palm Beach, FL. His loving wife of 60 years, Dania Marie Hanes and his daughter, Dania Hanes Smith, preceded him in death. Jimmy was an Army Air Force veteran of WW II, serving as a B-17 tail gunner in the 407th Bomb Squadron in England. He was a photoengraver at the Danville Register & Bee until his retirement in 1987. He was an avid vegetable gardener, golfer and tennis player. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Bright Leaf Place for the excellent care they gave our father in his last months.