Obituary for Ivan Rydell "Ham" Smith
Ivan Rydell Smith was born on February 13, 1960, in Accomack County, Virginia to the late Myrtle Smith Pitts and George Joynes. He departed this life on May 10, 2023 at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia.
Ivan was affectionately known by many different names, “Rydell,” “Ham,” “Hammer,” or “Smitty,” just to name a few. He was educated in the Accomack County Public School System. He believed in hard work and earning an honest living, so he entered the workforce at an early age. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, his wife the late Renee’ Smith.
Ivan gave his life to Christ on October 25, 1987, at Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he was a devoted member. In an effort to better provide for his family, he pursued a career in commercial truck driving.
Anyone that knew Ivan knew that he loved playing recreational softball as he did for many years. Eighteen wheels was his choice of transportation (diesel fuel ran through his veins), and he LOVED the Dallas Cowboys. It is a well-known fact that the Cowboys would have won the Super Bowl every year if they had made him the head coach. During the season, Sundays were known for family, food, and football. Ivan also enjoyed watching NHRA drag racing. John Force and Robert Hight were his favorites, whom he actually met in person.
Ivan was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. If he had it, you had it. His absence will be deeply felt, and many will truly miss him.
Ivan was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Lavonne Smith; stepbrother, James Pitts; in-laws, Roland and Bessie Taylor; and brother-in-law, Ronald Witherspoon.
He leaves to cherish his memories: four children, Treketta (Myron, Sr.) Harris, Coretta Brown, Je’Cola Smith, and Mason Smith; two grandchildren, Myisha Brown and Myron Harris, Jr.; stepmother, Mary Joynes; three brothers, LaRonn (Brenda) Smith, Terrence (Alisa) Smith, and Parrish Joynes; one, sister, Maryanne Joynes; stepfather, Solomon Pitts, Sr.; two stepbrothers, Solomon Pitts Jr. and Johnathan Pitts; one stepsister, Janet (Wayne) Brown; three brothers-in-law, Robert (Lavesta) Witherspoon, Harold Witherspoon, and Roland (Myra) Taylor, Jr.; a special thank you to cousins, Vernon "Joe" Bundick, Jr. and Perry Bailey; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lovingly and sorrowfully submitted,
The Family
Ivan was affectionately known by many different names, “Rydell,” “Ham,” “Hammer,” or “Smitty,” just to name a few. He was educated in the Accomack County Public School System. He believed in hard work and earning an honest living, so he entered the workforce at an early age. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, his wife the late Renee’ Smith.
Ivan gave his life to Christ on October 25, 1987, at Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he was a devoted member. In an effort to better provide for his family, he pursued a career in commercial truck driving.
Anyone that knew Ivan knew that he loved playing recreational softball as he did for many years. Eighteen wheels was his choice of transportation (diesel fuel ran through his veins), and he LOVED the Dallas Cowboys. It is a well-known fact that the Cowboys would have won the Super Bowl every year if they had made him the head coach. During the season, Sundays were known for family, food, and football. Ivan also enjoyed watching NHRA drag racing. John Force and Robert Hight were his favorites, whom he actually met in person.
Ivan was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back. If he had it, you had it. His absence will be deeply felt, and many will truly miss him.
Ivan was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Lavonne Smith; stepbrother, James Pitts; in-laws, Roland and Bessie Taylor; and brother-in-law, Ronald Witherspoon.
He leaves to cherish his memories: four children, Treketta (Myron, Sr.) Harris, Coretta Brown, Je’Cola Smith, and Mason Smith; two grandchildren, Myisha Brown and Myron Harris, Jr.; stepmother, Mary Joynes; three brothers, LaRonn (Brenda) Smith, Terrence (Alisa) Smith, and Parrish Joynes; one, sister, Maryanne Joynes; stepfather, Solomon Pitts, Sr.; two stepbrothers, Solomon Pitts Jr. and Johnathan Pitts; one stepsister, Janet (Wayne) Brown; three brothers-in-law, Robert (Lavesta) Witherspoon, Harold Witherspoon, and Roland (Myra) Taylor, Jr.; a special thank you to cousins, Vernon "Joe" Bundick, Jr. and Perry Bailey; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lovingly and sorrowfully submitted,
The Family