Verizon technician and 91-year-old Bowie woman form unlikely friendship

BOWIE, Md. - When 91-year old Ruth White made an appointment with Verizon to have cable installed at her Bowie home she had no idea she would come across a tech that turned into a friend.

Former Georgetown Hoya standout Eric Smith came to her home a few years ago. He now works for Verizon and after he finished the installation he gave White his cellphone number and told her to call him if she had any problems. She put it to good use and called him when she couldn’t figure out the remote. And again when her picture went out and then sometimes just to chat.

An emotional Smith told Allison Seymour on Good Day DC that he didn’t think he was doing anything more than being nice to someone who needed an ear to listen. So he was surprised when on his birthday he received a birthday card from White, and that wasn’t all. She continued to send him a birthday card each and every year.

And their friendship continues. She tells him funny stories. He helps her when she has issues with her TV.

They’ve developed an unlikely friendship that White says she is grateful for. Smith says he would love to get his entire family together so they can meet her and she would like that too.

FOX 5 and Easterns Automotive Group teamed up to help make that happen. Joel Bassam of Easterns Automotive Group presented Smith a gift card to take the family and White to a local restaurant and a gift card to Galaxy Golf so he can get a refresh on some of his equipment.

If you know someone who should be featured on Pay It Forward, you can nominate them here. In your email, be sure to include who they are and why they deserve to be recognized.