Lewis Carl Smith, Jr., age 79, of Boones Mill, VA, passed away peacefully with friends by his side, on June 25, 2026, at Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke, VA.

Lewis was born in Holland, VA on May 4, 1947, to the late Lewis Carl Smith, Sr. and the late Lucille Byrum Smith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Thomas Smith and his sister, Betty Louise Smith Thompson.

After graduating from Holland High School, Lewis earned his MBA from Virginia Tech. He proudly served two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In the 1970s he became a lifelong resident of the Roanoke area. He especially cherished Saturdays in Lane Stadium and sharing Hokie football with close friends. Lewis co-founded AIS, a marketing and educational service that provided online and in-house training for nurses. Upon his retirement, Lewis stayed active in his field, working as a recruitment counselor with ECPI on its Roanoke campus. Lewis lived a life of service to others, always willing to lend a hand when needed, and to the community through his membership in the Cave Spring Lion's Club and Big Brothers of Roanoke. He was a long-time member, deacon and trustee of Red Hill Baptist Church, just down the road from his Boones Mill farmhouse. Lewis' love of animals, instilled in him during his early years on the family farm in Holland, grew into a special fondness for horses and horseback riding on his farm.

Lewis is survived by his brother, Bobby Byrum Smith (Judy Smith) of Suffolk, VA, his sister, Sally Sue Smith Glover of Cary, NC, his brother-in-law, Chaplain William E. Thompson, Jr. of Stanton, CA, his many beloved nieces and nephews, and his special friends David, Becky, Morgan and Bentlee Starnes of Roanoke, VA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Red Hill Baptist Church, 6251 Franklin Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014. Family and friends are invited to join the congregation for the Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 am, and/or enjoy lunch together with the congregation in the Fellowship Hall at 12:00 noon and then honor Lewis at the Celebration of Life Service beginning at 1:30 pm in the church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Red Hill Baptist Church or the church of your choice.