TUNIS – Lonnie G. Smith, Jr., age 79, of Tunis died Monday, January 24, 2011 at Sentara Norfolk Hospital.

A native of Hertford County, he was born January 15, 1932 in Cofield to the late Lonnie G. Smith Sr. and Sallie Bazemore Smith. He served in the Army in France during the Korean War; he was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church; and a retired truck driver and diesel mechanic from Smith Truck and Trailer repair, a company he owned and operated for many years.

Lonnie is survived by his wife, Jean Owens Smith, and their children: Katherine Jones and her husband, Terry, of Yadkinville, Liz Hodges and her husband, Dennis, of Tunis, Lonnie Smith and his wife, Mary, of Raleigh, Edward Ward and his wife, Karen, of Ahoskie and Wanda Perkins and her husband, Ken, of Holly Springs;  grandchildren, Tyler Hodges, Daryl Williams, Jennifer Williams, Stephen Jones, Douglas Jones, Jordan Smith, Matthew Smith, Christian Smith, Kristy Perkins, Kenneth Perkins, Megan Ward and Mallory Ward; great grandchildren, Samantha Williams, Maria Fritzler and Haley Smith; a brother, Kent Smith and and his wife, Mary, of Cofield; sisters, Marie Lewis of Tunis and Helen Wall and husband, Allen, of Cofield; special adopted family, Wanda, Keith, Josh and Meagan Piland; and his three special dog companions, Lucy, Snoopy and Bear.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Newbern.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, January 28, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Holly Springs Baptist Church. Rev. Gilbert Crawford and Rev. Robert May will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the home.

Memorials can be made to the Holly Springs Baptist Church Building Fund.

Friends and family may send online condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com.

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie is serving the Smith family.