John V. Smith was born on September 9, 1926 in West Grove, PA. His parents were George I. and Mary A. (Daly) Smith. He was the youngest of 4 siblings, hence the nickname “Babe”. He was raised on a farm on Flint Hill Road (Landenberg) and attended West Grove Elementary.

John entered the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and spent much of his working days driving trucks for various auto transport companies. He was a member of Teamsters Local #326.

John enjoyed gardening and construction. He built his own home on Appleton Road (MD), which he shared with his life-time companion, Erma Albrecht, until her death on September 26, 1996.

John was preceded in death by his sister, Anna M. McAneny (Neil J.), and his brothers: George C. (Bud) Smith (Myra), and William J. (Billie) Smith and two sets of twin siblings.

John is survived by his niece, Mary H. McGinness (Ed), and nephews: Neil G. McAneny (Bess), Patrick A. McAneny (Diane) and Stephen M. Smith (Barbara), as well as many grand and great-grand nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his daughter of his heart, Diane Melton, and her daughter, Robyn Spencer, and special friends: Dawn and Sandy.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church, 82 Possum Park Rd., Newark, DE 19711 at 11:00 a.m. on March 26, 2021. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “Delaware Right to Life” and sent in care of R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.