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Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
Compassionately Serving the residents of South Hill and the surrounding Mecklenburg, Brunswick and Lunenburg Area since 1972.
When the time is needed, we are here.
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Mr. James Wootton "Jimmy" Smiley
04/20/1943 - 07/08/2026
Mr. James Wootton "Jimmy" Smiley, 83, of South Hill, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Born on April 20, 1943 in South Hill, he was the son of the late James Fleming Smiley and Claudia Edna Wootten Smiley of South Hill. Jimmy was proud to have grown up working on the Smiley family farm and helping with his family's businesses. His strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue many successful business ventures throughout his life. Over the years, he operated a movie theater, ran a local radio station, owned and operated Smiley's Young Men's Shop, and most recently was the owner/operator of Smiley's Truck and Diesel. If you ever had the opportunity to talk with Jimmy, you undoubtedly heard a joke or two. He found great joy in brightening the lives of others with his humor, stories, and quick wit. He will also be fondly remembered as "Mr. Sax Man," sharing his love of music while performing with local bands including Tony T and the Midnight Movers, Midnight Crossfire, and Double Shot. Jimmy rarely traveled without his saxophone, always prepared in case an opportunity to play arose. Above all else, Jimmy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. His love for his family was evident in everything he did, and he was truly the best husband and father anyone could ask for. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary Vaughan Smiley; his five children, Lisa Melton (Harry Carter) of Boydton, Jamie Smiley (Kim) of Bracey, Jina Narron (Bruce) of Andrews, South Carolina, Brandy Peterson (Seth) of South Hill, and Kevin Smiley of South Hill; his sisters, Edna Jane McDaniel of Happy Valley, Oregon, and Debra Smiley-Weindel (Johnny) of Boydton; his brothers, Donnie Smiley (Lillian) of South Hill, Ronnie Smiley (Patti) of Wytheville, Virginia, and Bobby Smiley (Janice) of South Hill; his sister-in-law Edith Smiley of South Hill; eight grandchildren, Savannah Melton, McCael Melton, Chance Melton, Delaney Narron, Kambrie Narron, Aria Peterson, Harper Peterson, and Joslyn Peterson; and three great-grandchildren, Ragnar Melton, Revan Melton, and Ayla Melton. He was preceded in death by an infant brother and his brother, Johnny Smiley of South Hill. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with interment to follow at Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1642 Smith Cross Road, South Hill, VA 23970, or to Southside Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 546, South Hill, VA 23970. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Smiley family.
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About Us
At Crowder-Hite-Crews we’ve always been proud to say that we are large enough to serve and small enough to care. When you choose us, we consider this a sacred trust between your family and ours. We offer a full range of funeral service, whether for a traditional funeral or cremation, and we are able to assist families worldwide. In February of 2004 we installed a crematorium to better serve our cremation families. We now do all cremations in our facility, saving transport to another location for this service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the cremation process.
Family owned and operated since 1972.
Situated on a 3-acre pastoral setting.
1st Place in Reader’s Choice for Funeral Service (17 years running).
Staff members are active in many civic organizations in the area, including Lions, Rotary, Moose Lodge, Masons, Ruritan, and Chamber of Commerce.
Owners are former Presidents of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and Southside Funeral Directors Association.
We always help you apply for Social Security and Veterans benefits!
We also help with completing life insurance claim forms.
Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
PO Box 422
1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave.
South Hill, VA 23970
Local (434) 447-7171
Fax (434) 447-3212
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Just learning of this today.
Sincere condolences to all the family. He
Was a very talented person. I will miss hearing
Him play his Saxophone.
We are so sorry for your loss .All of the Smiley family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you during this difficult time .
Mary,
Our Thoughts and Prayers for you and the family. Jimmy loved his family and people. We will miss him.
Hattie and the Farrar Family
So very sorry! He will be missed by many! Won’t hear Harlem Nocturnn any more!!
Remembering Jimmy
Our prayers go out to Jimmy’s wife, family and friends. He had a pleasing and friendly personality. Remembering the good times we
had when we heard him play with Tony T and
the Midnight Movers. May GOD give you all B his peace which passes our understanding. In GOD’s word He tells us that when we take our
last breath here on earth the next one is with
Him in Heaven.
Condolences
Sending our heartfelt sympathy to the Smiley family & dear friends. We are & will continue to keep you in our thoughts & prayers.
Love & Respect, Ralph & Georgia Davis
July 10, 2026
Mr. Jimmie were a nice man. My condolences 🙏 to his family and friends. You will be miss.
Friend
Best Saxs player ever. My condolences to his family. RIP JIMMY!
Condolences to the Family
So sorry for your loss! Jimmy and family have always been good neighbors to me! You all are in my thoughts and prayers!
My thoughts and prayers to the entire Smiley family. I regret that I won’t be able to attend the services. Jimmy was one of the best musicians I’ve had the privilege to play with, and he helped me immensely in my musical journey. I’ll remember the time he bet me $50 to learn a Tower of Power song. While I accomplished it, I don’t think it was about the money for him. I think he did it to push me to become a better bass player. Heaven has gained a great sax player and an even greater person. Again, thoughts and prayers, and may your family find solace in this time of mourning.
To Jimmy’s families, I offer my sincerest condolences. I remember our times at Park View High School and especially band classes and events. He always wore a smile. I can only imagine the void he is leaving in the lives of his families, but am confident that many memories were made with him, that will always be in their hearts. Praying for our Great Comforter to hold each of you a little closer to Him as He walks with each of you on this earthly path called grief.
friend
I moved away from South Hill years ago but a lot of good memories and part of my heart is still there. Met Jimmy when I maybe the first publicity photos for the Cobras and we shot them in the Start Theater after it became the Hillside Rec Center and the seating removed. Jimmy was always upbeat and anxious to try new things. All of the Smiley boys were good people to know and do business with. Jimmy for sure brighened the lives of those around him and made all of us a little better. May he rest in peace and my condolences to those he left behind.
Condolences
Sending our heartfelt sympathy to the Smiley Family & Friends. You are & will continue to be in our thoughts & prayers. Love & Respect, Ralph & Georgia Davis
Dear Smiley Family
Jimmy Smiley was my buddy and my friend. He was that and more to everyone who knew him. I was lucky enough to get to know Jimmy about 20 years ago through my brother, Kyle. My best memories of him are early morning breakfasts at the truck stop and by early, I mean early. I was too sleepy to even change out of my PJ pants but the craving for pancakes and listening to Jimmy’s jokes outweighed the need for sleep. He always had the knack to make you laugh and make you smile, be it through laughter or music. Everyone has and will always carry with them their best memories of Jimmy. It is how we keep him alive and well in our hearts.
Friend
Rest in peace brother. Will miss you. In a better place and can already hear the music from the heavens.
Classmate
To the Smiley Family,
We, the Whisonant Family, send our deepest sympathy in the transitioning of your brother, Jimmy. We too have lost brothers, and we understand the void and the hole it leaves within the unit. Our prayers are with you as you go through this season. It never gets easier — we somehow learn to adjust.
May your memories of an honorable man leave your hearts warm and your faces with smiles.
Be blessed.
Lavern Gibson
for the Whisonant Family
Friends
Sending our love,prayers,and condolences for all the Smiley family and friends ..rest in peace Jimmy…paradise awaits you… God blessed you with so much talent for all of us
to enjoy and we did.. til we All meet again ..
belindamccall26@yahoo.com
Sending prayers and condolences to the family.My friend will greatly be missed by many.
Great times spent with Kathy and James, when I was first Jimmy. There was never a dull moment when Jimmy was around, he could always brighten your day, telling a joke and making everyone smile! Such a talented man with a heart of gold! Prayers to all of his many friends and family members.
Condolences
Jimmy will be dearly missed. Never talked to him without having an good laugh. Rest well sax man. Prayers for his family.
Condolences to the Smiley families. J8mmy was a loving person. Always putting a smile on someone’s face. There was only one Jimmy Smiley. Jimmy will no doubt be missed by many that knew him. Prayers for his family.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time.