Rev. Owen L. "Big O" Smith, Sr., 53, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at his residence.
He was a member of Piney Woods Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gus, Studyvent; grandmother, Fannie Mae Andrews; uncle, Robert Andrews.
He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife for 21 years, Mary J. Smith; his loving mother, Mrs. Barbara Studyvent; eight children, Camille, Martel, Owen Smith Jr, TaMica, Willie, Te’Rance Dillard, Asha House, and Joyel (Carnell) Starling; 14 grandchildren, Jamiyla, Jayla, Jaylan Smith, Anthony Edwards, Jr., Timothy Burrage, Jr., A’Shawn Johnson, Dynasty Lovelady, Bailee Ellison, Deanna Ware Dillard, Ivory Dillard, Ja’Cori Javon, Jeremiah, and Jabrice Starling; one godson, Vanness Wordlaw, Jr.; one sister-in-law, Shirley Stevenphson; three brother-in-laws, Raymond Thompson, Ricky (Effie) Thompson, Ronnie (Renee) Thompson; three aunts, Maeola Shropshire, Shirley (Tony) Carpenter, Evelyn Shropshire; other relatives and dear friends.
The body will lie in state beginning at 9 a.m. at New Horizon Baptist Church on Thursday, Oct. 18, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.