The Shadow
Phillip Johnson “P.J.” Smith, Jr.
Phillip Johnson “P.J.” Smith, Jr., age 80, of 4601 Upper Rich Patch Road, Covington, Virginia died on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.
P.J. was born on June 6, 1945 in Alleghany County, Virginia to the late Phillip J. Smith, Sr. and Edna Pearl Persinger Smith. He served his country in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. He was an installer for Lumos for over thirty years and was a member of Cliffdale Christian Church. He enjoyed hunting, playing softball, and was an avid New York Yankees fan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia “Jenny” Smith and Bonnie Neal; and two grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Ann “Ritzy” Jackson Smith of Covington; three daughters, Cheryl Gonzalez (Fabio) of Bealeton, Cindy Robinson (Ray) of Roanoke, and Crissy Smith (Robert Baldwin) of Hot Springs; three brothers, Jerry Smith (Debra), Eddie Smith (Mary Sue), and David Smith (Mary), all of Hot Springs; and four grandchildren, Grace Gonzalez, Josiah Robinson, Brandon Robinson, and Kleigh Sharp. He is also survived by his special extended family, two step children, Jeff Wolfe (Melissa) of Selma and Susan Cale (David) of Evans, GA; five step grandchildren, Krista Goodman (Travis), Scott Wolfe (Brooke), Austin Cale (Kaitlin), Tyler Cale, and Christian Cale; and four step great grandchildren, Matthew Thomas, Julie Goodman, Kara Goodman, and Trevor Goodman.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Pastor Raymond Christian officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. The family will receive friends on Monday afternoon from 12:30 PM until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Alleghany Humane Society, 9313 Rich Patch Road, Covington, VA 24422 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, or simply do a kind deed for someone in P.J.’s memory.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com
