Henry Cam Smith

Henry Cam Smith passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, trading his earthly home for his heavenly one, meeting his heavenly father face to face, and reuniting with the love of his life, Shirley, his parents, siblings, and friends who have passed before him.

The youngest of ten, Henry, also known as “Bud” and “Red”, was born April 26, 1939, in the Pleasant Plains Community near Whiteville, in Columbus County, North Carolina to Preston Cam and Cornelius Bright Smith. He moved to the Hampton Roads area as a teenager which is where he met the love of his life, Shirley Noama Weaver. They eloped to Dillon, South Carolina to be married on December 17, 1960. After enjoying their time together as a couple for the first few years, they decided to grow their family with the birth of their daughter, Tina Marie, on May 19, 1964. Five years later they welcomed their son, Henry Preston, on June 9, 1969. Henry accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in the late 70’s and was a member of Marantha Baptist Church for many decades. He worked at AAMCO in Hampton to support his family until he and good friend, Wayne Crawford, partnered together to open B & W Transmissions in Hampton in 1972. After 34 successful years, they both decided it was time to retire and enjoy life with their families, so they sold the business in 2006, and it is still thriving today.

Henry enjoyed spending time with his wife, taking trips with her and their granddaughters, and working on cars. He loved bluegrass and old country music, George Jones being one of his favorites, and all things antique, especially cars. Hot rods, vintage cars, and drag racing were some of his greatest passions. He was an avid antique car collector and could often be found in the garage, rubbing on one of his cars while listening to his favorite music or at different classic car shows across Hampton Roads. He also owned 3 race cars throughout his life that his son would drag race at different tracks in Virginia and surrounding states, dubbing the duo Smith Racing. One of his favorite places to be was at the drag strip.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife and soulmate of 55 years, Shirley Smith; his parents, Preston and Cornelius Smith; and his nine siblings. He is survived by his two children, Tina Gravely (Jeff) and Preston Smith (Dina); his three granddaughters, Heather Allen (Bobby), Lindsey Moore (Scott), and Molly Gravely (Thadduas); his seven great-grandchildren, Bradley and Wyatt Trinkle, Micah, Maverick, and Waylon Moore, Kierstyn Greene, and Houston Hayes; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his caretaker, Iris Cortez, who was a true godsend. We cannot begin to thank you enough for all you did for him. Lastly, we would like to thank his hospice nurse, Faith Fiedorowicz, for her care during his last weeks on earth. Your time with him was short, but the impression you made was truly lasting.

The family will receive friends and family on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 2551 N Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666 from 11:00 – 12:00, with funeral services to immediately follow. Interment will be held afterwards at Parklawn Memorial Park.