Eric Lee Smith, 60,  of Chatham, VA raced through the gates of Heaven entering into victory lane on June 13, 2026; he won the most important race, and is with his Lord and Savior.

Eric was born in Claremont, New Hampshire to the late James Malloch Smith and Kathleen Anne Smith.

Eric grew up in New Hampshire, and had plenty of stories to tell; some explained the high strung person you met, some the strong, hardworking family man he turned out to be, and some the hurt that he carried, but the stories that put a big smile on his face were about racing, and he could relate anything to racing. Eric had a passion for racing from a young age; he raced anything with wheels; BMX bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and go carts; he loved everything about it. His favorite number was 99, and he was always pursuing 1st place.  He enjoyed working with his hands;  spent a lot of  time taking something broken and making it work again, and he loved the sense of accomplishment when  fixing a  "problem child vehicle" that no one else wanted to work on.

Eric endured great loss during his life, as he was predeceased by his children Eric Jr.,  Jason, and Baby Smith.

Eric, in recent years, stopped racing away, and he made the most important decision in his life regarding his eternity, and that was answering God's call to him for Salvation. Eric's faith and trust in God grew in leaps and bounds, and he noted  he had spent so many years being the #99 chasing the wrong 1, but was thankful the rescuer left the 99 to save the 1 that was him. God took what was hurt and broken, and made it whole again. But God!

Eric had a deep love for his family and was a proud husband, dad, and papa; just a few of his most precious titles. Those left to celebrate the life and cherish the memories of Eric are his wife of 18 years, Melissa Smith of the residence,  his children Ben (Shelby), Shawna (Jordan), DJ (Skylar), and Tristan, and his grandchildren, Levi,  Addyson, and expected grandson, Kayson. He  is also survived by his brother, Mike Hardy (Christine), his father and mother in law, Harry and Vicki Pickeral, and his very close family that he loved dearly, Eugene and Mandy Gregory, Jody and Jessica Hedrick, Rick and Tammy Hamel,  and Dan and Katie Jameson,  in addition to numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved and cherished dearly.

A Celebration of Life will take place 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Marion Baptist Church, 2669 Marion Road, Chatham, VA by Dr. Henry M. Meadows, Jr. or as Eric referred, "Spanky Hank."

The family will receive visitors at all other times at the residence, 1172 Gammons Lake Road, Chatham, VA.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.