Ernest T. Smith, 86, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2007 in Port Charlotte after a long illness.
Ernest was born the youngest child of 7 on February 15, 1921 in Simpson, West Virginia to the late Joseph and Lulu Smith. In the summer of 1942, prior to shipping out to serve his country during World War II with the US Navy, he married Ada, his childhood sweetheart. Upon his return to the States in 1945 he joined Ada in Baltimore, Maryland where they made their home. After trying various occupations, Ernest settled into a job with Trailways Bus Company where he served as a driver for 35 years. During this time he and Ada began and raised a family and relocated from Baltimore to Seabrook, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. He served as Secretary/Treasurer of the United Transportation Union for several years. He retired in 1985 and moved with his wife Ada to Port Charlotte in 1999.
He is survived by two children, a son Gregory Smith of Pensacola, FL, and daughter Barbara (husband Irvin) Perry of Punta Gorda, FL; a granddaughter, Ashlee Smith of Baltimore, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by all 5 of his brothers and only sister, and in 2004 by his wife of 61 years, Ada.