Mr. Ernest J. “Booger” Smith, Sr., 75, of Alexandria, Virginia, formerly of West Point, transitioned peacefully at his residence on June 22. Smith was born Jan. 22, 1944, to the late Arthur Lee and Sara Jane Barber Smith.  

Ernest accepted Christ and joined the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in West Point at an early age, where he attended for many years. He graduated from Carver High School, Hamilton, Georgia in 1961; thereafter securing employment with West Point Pepperell in Shawmut for a number of years as a very loyal employee.

Ernest later moved to New York, New York and continued working for West Point Pepperell, where he met and later married his current wife Lillian Irene Thomas. After many years in the Big Apple, he relocated to Alexandria, Virginia where he later joined the Woodlawn Faith United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia and became a faithful member of the Usher Board. Before retirement, he was a dedicated worker for many years with the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C.

Ernest had two previous marriages, the late Constance Lovelace (Allison Smith Jones) and later to the late Carrie Chelcy (Zenna, Ernest Jr., Carrie and Lamar).

He was predeceased by a sister, Zenna Martin.

He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving wife of 44 years, Mrs. Lillian Irene Smith, Alexandria, Virginia; one daughter, Allison Smith Jones (William), of Lanett; one son, Ernest Smith, Jr., of LaGrange; two step-daughters, Carrie Jones (Melvin), of Covington, Georgia, Mary Walker (Billy), of Jamaica Queens, New York; two step-sons, Neil Thomas, Jr., of Saginaw, Michigan, the Rev. Lamar Chelcy (Juanita), of LaGrange; two sisters, Cora Winston (Robert) Hollansburg, Ohio, Sarah Harris (Bob), Stone Mountain, Georgia; one brother, Maurice Smith, of Stone Mountain, Georgia; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; one uncle, 95 years old Rev. Charlie Barber Sr.; two aunts, Mrs. Synella Barber and Mrs. Lillian Barber; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A celebration of life Memorial Service will be held on July 31 at noon in the sanctuary of the Keeney Memorial United Methodist Church, West Point with the Rev. Brenda Pritchett-Rhodes, pastor, the Rev. Willie J.  Barber, II, Eulogist and the Rev. Alton Barber, Sr. assisting.

The family can be contacted at the residence of Mrs. Allison (William) Jones, 3023 County Road 212, Lanett or by phone, Sarah Harris (470) 385-6758.

To express online condolences, please visit our website at:www.mwleemortuary.com

Final Arrangements entrusted to M. W. Lee Mortuary of West Point.