Francis Horace Smith

Francis Horace Smith

francis smith

January 9, 1932 ~ September 20, 2014

Services: A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 11:00AM in St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Peter Giovanini officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation: The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM with prayers recited at 7:00PM in St. Michaels Catholic church, Ridge, MD. Francis Horace Smith, 82, of Ridge, MD passed away on September 20, 2014, in Leonardtown, MD surrounded by family. He was born on January 9, 1932, in Baltimore, MD and lived nearly his entire life in St. Mary‘s. He was preceded in death by his mother Olive Hammett-Bradburn, his step-father Mark Bradburn, his wife Joann (Goddard), his daughter Kim and brother Joe. Francis graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1949 and soon began a long career in government service at NAS Patuxent River. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War earning the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Francis returned to St. Mary’s and continued his career in flight test instrumentation at Technical Support Directorate at Pax River, completing 36 years of service before his retirement. He was a founding member of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept. and was an active member of American Legion Post 255 in Ridge, MD serving on the post‘s executive committee. Francis was loved very much by all who knew him. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Juanita, daughter Karen Russell (Dickie), son Francis Korey Smith (Jacqueline), sister Marcia Raley (David), granddaughter Nicole Wathen (Leonard) and 3 great grandsons. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ridge, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 25th, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ridge, MD at 11:00 AM with Father Peter Giovanini officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad or a charity of your choice.

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  1. “Uncle Francis will surely be missed. Always willing to help everyone! Taught me how to use my first computer, made the trek to Florida to visit me in college, and always had a kind word or story to tell. Eternal rest grant onto his soul and let perpetual light shine upon him”

  2. Kenny & Marianne Trossbach says:

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. “

  3. Brenda & Heavy Ridgell says:

    “Juanita and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”

  4. Hilda and Buster Trossbach says:

    “So sorry for your loss Francis was one in a million. He will be greatly missed. “

  5. “So sorry for your loss. Uncle Francis was always willing to help whenever it was needed. John & I were recounting all of the times he helped our family through the years—taking photos at our wedding as well as making the cake, painting and tiling our bathroom, and, just recently, bringing over headlight cleaner for Zach’s truck. We will always remember his smiling face and cheerful attitude. He will be greatly missed!”

  6. Charles & Joanne Carroll says:

    “Nita,Karen,Korey and family we are so sorry to hear of Francis passing. He was such a gentle and compassionate family man loved by all who knew him. May he RIP.”

  7. Tommy and Darlene Hammett Graves says:

    “So sorry to hear of Francis’ passing. He was always a soft spoken, gentle man. He will be missed by all that knew him. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.”

  8. “Nita, Karen and Korey, so sorry to hear about Francis. He will be missed. I hope he’s having some good conversations with dad and all the others up there. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if you need anything. Love you all.”

  9. “Ms. Anita, Karen, Corey and families, I am deeply sorry for your loss. My condolences to you all. “

  10. Tracy and Brad Vandergriff says:

    “Korey and all the Smith family – So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Thinking of you all.”

  11. “Dear Nita: My sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, Francis. He will be missed by all who know him. Jim Wood – Washington D.C.”

  12. “Sorry we have lost such a good man, with a brilliant mind. I’ll always remember Francis for his interest in the automotive technology. Every time something new hit the market he would rush to get one and evaluate the Pro’s and Con’s of the vehicle. And as bright as he was, he had the knack for making you feel that whatever you were discussing with him was the most interesting thing he had heard lately. I will miss Francis a lot. “

  13. “Christmas eve Dinner will not be the same without my great grampa there.”

  14. “Nita, Kory, Karen and Marcia, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. He left us quietly, His thoughts unknown, But left us a memory, We are proud to own; So treasure him Lord, In Your garden of rest, For when on earth, He was one of the best.” May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead. “

  15. “Nita and family,sorry for your loss.Francis was such a great person.I really enjoyed working with him. He taught me so much.”

  16. “Aunt Nita, Corey and Karen I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Francis was such a kind man, he will be missed.”

  17. “So sorry to hear this. In all my years working on base Francis was one of the most helpful, sincere and absolutely dependable people I met. What a great guy! He will certainly be missed. “

  18. Jim and Sharon Hammett Jorden says:

    “To the Family, We are so very sorry to hear of Francis’ passing. He was a true gentleman and he will be missed. Francis always took the time to say a quiet hello whenever our paths crossed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

  19. “Nita, Karen,and Kory, my condolences to all of you.”

  20. “So sorry to hear of Francis’ passing. I know everyone in Ridge will feel the loss. “

  21. “Thoughts And Prayers To the Family.Francis was a good friend. Donald & Peggy. “


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francis smith

January 9, 1932 ~ September 20, 2014

Francis Horace Smith, 82, of Ridge, MD passed away on September 20, 2014, in Leonardtown, MD surrounded by family. He was born on January 9, 1932, in Baltimore, MD and lived nearly his entire life in St. Mary‘s. He was preceded in death by his mother Olive Hammett-Bradburn, his step-father Mark Bradburn, his wife Joann (Goddard), his daughter Kim and brother Joe. Francis graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1949 and soon began a long career in government service at NAS Patuxent River. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in the Korean War earning the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Francis returned to St. Mary’s and continued his career in flight test instrumentation at Technical Support Directorate at Pax River, completing 36 years of service before his retirement. He was a founding member of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept. and was an active member of American Legion Post 255 in Ridge, MD serving on the post‘s executive committee. Francis was loved very much by all who knew him. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Juanita, daughter Karen Russell (Dickie), son Francis Korey Smith (Jacqueline), sister Marcia Raley (David), granddaughter Nicole Wathen (Leonard) and 3 great grandsons. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at St. Michael’s Church in Ridge, MD. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, September 25th, at St. Michael’s Church in Ridge, MD at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad or a charity of your choice.

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