Elmer John Smith

Elmer John (EJ) Smith, age 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Deltona, Florida on July 1, 2022 after a short illness. EJ was born in the coal mining region of Williamson, West Virginia in 1938, to parents Elmer and Genevieve Smith, and grew up there with his younger brother Fred and family, and hailed from multiple generations of coal miners of which he was proud. Two weeks before his death he made his last trip home to Williamson, riding ATVs on the Hatfield/McCoy Trails in the state he always called home.

After high school he joined the United States Air Force off to Biloxi, Mississippi, and Japan, among other places. After the Air Force, he moved to Annandale, Virginia where his parents had relocated for work with the Department of Defense at Cameron Station in Alexandria, VA. There he met and married his loving wife, Lois Mae Greer, and remained together until she was taken by cancer in 2015 after 56 years of marriage. EJ and Lois bought their first home in Woodbridge, Virginia in 1976 and raised their children, Ronald Smith, and Alison (Smith) Robinson there, before retiring to Deltona, Florida in 1996.

EJ was proud in 1976 to have completed an Associate's Degree in Psychology from Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He later earned his Bachelor's Degree, Summa cum laude, in Theology from Liberty University in Virginia.

After they retired, EJ and Lois moved to Deltona, Florida to be near the many family members who had moved here. Shortly after the move, EJ and Lois became active members and supporters of the Augustinian Monks of the Primitive Observance Monastery in DeLand, Florida, and did a great deal of volunteer work for them, including EJ becoming an Oblate, an achievement he was very proud of. EJ and Lois were also members of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Deltona, Florida where for many years he served as an Adorer 5 days a week for the Daily Holy Hour in the Adoration Chapel.

During EJ's life, he helped many people in various ways including serving Prison Ministries at Lorton Prison, opening his home to those newly released from prison to restart their lives, and teaching the illiterate to read. Things he held dearly in his heart were helping those in need and always looking to help the "underdog". Many friends wrote that he changed their lives, and helped them move forward from bad situations whether alcoholism or whatever the trouble. One friend said that he had saved his life through his support, and for that, we are so very proud of him.

EJ was preceded in death by his beautiful and loving wife Lois, and beautiful baby daughter, Andre Joanne, as well as his parents Elmer and Genevieve. He is survived by a son, Ron Smith of Deltona, Florida, a daughter, Alison Robinson (Tom) of Roanoke, Virginia, and six grandchildren, Kenneth Linstrom (Dorothy), Thomas Linstrom, Phillip DelCore, Kyla Robinson, Erin Robinson, and Celia DelCore. He had eight great-grandchildren, Lilliana, Andrea, Kenneth, Bethany, Nathaniel, Jeremiah, Lois, and baby Dorothy Linstrom, and his wonderful companion for the last four years, Waneta Young-Petruzzelli, and cousins, nieces, and nephews around the US.

EJ was so very, very proud of the family, most especially the accomplishments of all of them, and his designation as the Pater Familias to all. He considered himself so fortunate to have seen their successes in education, careers, and life in general, something that he talked about all the time for each.

EJ was a lover of nature, an avid wildlife photographer, adventurer, traveler, a lover of life, and tried living to the fullest. He loved the US National Parks, and in his last years was on a mission to get to every National Park in the country taking his passport stamp book for a legacy book. He made it to many of the National Parks and the family intends to carry on his legacy of traveling, getting to National Parks, and enjoying the life and time we have on Earth.

A small graveside service will be held at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042, on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022, at 2 pm (take Hollywood Road off of Lee Highway, second gate and on your left) For those interested in lieu of flowers, EJ's favorite charities were the Wounded Warriors Project, Appalachian Outreach, Inc., National Park Conservation Association, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Salvation Army or any local humane society for the welfare of animals.

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.