James Melroe Smith

James Melroe Smith completed this earthly journey on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Virginia Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center.

James was born December 25, 1932, to the late Charlie Allen and Gratheon V. Bell-Smith. He was reared in Back Bay Station (Princess Anne County), now known as Virginia Beach. He was educated at Princess Anne County Training School, graduating in the class of 1951.

Being reared in a Christian Home, James accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at a young age and joined Little Piney Grove Baptist Church, where he was an active member until his health began to fail.  He served faithfully with the Trustee Ministry, the Sunday School Ministry, the Men’s Ministry and with the Pastoral Care Ministry.  James was known for his bass voice, and he used it in the Senior Choir, Unity Choir, Mass Choir, LPG Gospel Choir, and Male Choir. 

James was employed with the Civil Service for thirty-four years and twenty-six years with the City of Virginia Beach.

James was an avid boater and motorcyclist.  He enjoyed playing dominoes, checkers, and horseshoes. He treasured his family and valued the time they spent together.  Because of his fabulous memory and love of family, he was one of the family historians, always being able to recall the past through names and events.  He had a warm smile, and a fun-loving outgoing personality. 

In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by his wife, Lucille Caffee-Smith and his son James M. Smith, Jr.

James leaves to cherish his precious memories, two daughters, Rose Cuffee (Clinton) and Renae Jensson; one son, Marshall Todd Smith (Anna); daughter-in-law, Connie Simms-Smith; ten grandchildren, Nick, Erin, Jazmine, Carmen, Hannah, Marshall, David, Christian, Christopher, and Ashley; two brothers, Reverend Samuel O. Baker, Sr., and Jesse Allen Smith (Cynthia); one aunt, Darlene Bell; and a host of loving nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.  We miss him now; our hearts are sore.  As time goes by, we’ll miss him more.  His loving smile and gentle face, no one on earth can fill his place.