The Shadow
Sadly, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, we lost one of Covington’s finest community servants, James Robert Smith, Jr., frequently called “Cheeze” Smith or “Cheeze Claus.” There was a funeral service at Covington Middle School on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, and the place was packed with folks who were grateful for the many things “Cheeze” had done to help them and their community. There was a lot of singing, praying and a number of eulogies, all to celebrate the life of a man who got up every morning asking himself what he could do to make someone else’s life better.
For many years, until his recent retirement from doing so, “Cheeze” would decorate a large float for the area Christmas parades, dress up in a Santa Claus suit (thereby earning the name “Cheeze Claus”), and would ride along through the crowds giving out toys and bicycles, which he had refurbished or been given to the children. From the time the parades began, the children were running around looking for “Cheeze Claus” and his gifts.
People in the area knew that if your car broke down, “Cheeze” would drop everything to come tow you in or get you help; and if your lawn mower needed fixing, he was there for you – either for a low cost or, many times, for nothing.
Everybody knew if it was broke, Cheeze could fix it. Cheeze was my friend for many years and we had breakfast together on many occasions. My last memory of Cheeze was the day, a few days before he died, when he and I, and John Stone, were having breakfast at Whitey’s One Stop. The subject of my dull chainsaw came up. It had hit a rock (through no fault of my own, of course) and I asked Cheeze if he could sharpen it, hopefully before the end of November. Although Cheeze was scheduled to go to Roanoke that morning, he said, “Give me the saw, I’ll do it right now.” I said, “Where do I come to pick it up?” He said, “I’ll bring it by your office.” – which he did. I said, “How much do I owe you?” He said, “Nothing.” That event was special to me, but that kind of thing was an old story where Cheeze was concerned. Making money was never as important as helping people – and he helped a lot of people.
I need to mention “The Bat Out of Hell.” It is a 1957 Chevrolet Cheeze that worked on night and day. He used it to drag race at a number of race tracks and many times was the winner. It was bright yellow and on the day of his funeral, it was parked in front of the Middle School doors for all to see. Cheeze could sing like a bird – and sing he did at weddings, funerals, and other occasions. He was much in demand and gave of his time and talents generously.
He was Director of the Men’s Chorus. Many of his songs were sung at church where he was a faithful member and active participant. He was deeply religious.
As my wife, Lang, and I sat at the Middle School during the service, where all of the wonderful eulogies were being said, and all of them talking about Cheeze’s life of service to our community, I couldn’t help but hope that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were paying close attention so that they might pattern their lives after “Cheeze Claus” – and, yes, I hope that all of us can follow a similar pattern.
Cheeze was also a great, very skillful hunter. It is very appropriate, if he had to go, that he died while on a deer hunt – and with his grandson.
Cheeze loved to sing, as I said, and it is telling that his favorite song was “May the work I’ve done speak for me.” Certainly, St. Peter will open the Pearly Gates to him!
I will miss Cheeze. He was my friend. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him.
Bill Wilson
