Francis Allen Smith

Sergeant Major Francis A. Smith 98, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Cardinal Senior living in Bedford. He was born on January 22, 1924, in Bedford Co., VA. He was the son of the late Allen Ramsey Smith and Cora Parks Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Eva Case-Smith.

SGM Smith enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp in 1942. He retired with 30+ years’ service to his country in 1975. During his career he served 3 tours of Vietnam, tours in Germany, Korea and Okinawa. SGM Smith received numerous awards including the National Defense Service medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star medal with two OLC, Army Commendation medal with one OLC, Air medal with eight OLC, Good Conduct medal with seven awards.  Upon retiring from active duty, he immediately started a second career with Civil Service until retiring again in1989.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions in Smitty’s memory please consider:  Bedford Centra Hospice, Bedford Lions Club or Bedford Baptist Church. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Cardinal Senior Living and Bedford Centra Hospice, especially his nurse Stephanie for the love and care given during this most difficult of times. We greatly appreciate each of you.

A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. A visitation will be conducted from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford. To send condolences online please visit tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.