Octavius Smith

1935 - 2024

SMITHVILLE - Wallace Octavius Smith of Smithville, 88, died peacefully the morning of Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Jonesboro. Octavius was born to Wallace Albert and Elver Etta Jines Smith near Ravenden, on Oct. 3, 1935.

He lived a full and meaningful life as a person of abiding faith in Jesus Christ. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather "Pawpaw," friend and caring servant to his neighbors and community.

Octavius was a lifelong learner and educator. He graduated from Sloan-Hendrix High School in Imboden in 1953 and went on to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He served as a high-school agriculture teacher in Marianna; an elementary school teacher and principal in Black Rock, and completed his 32-year career as a public-school educator at his alma mater, Sloan-Hendrix, in 1992.

A beloved teacher and colleague, he was regularly approached by former students he encountered in the community who expressed their appreciation for his positive influence on their lives. He also served his community as a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant, and was recognized for his exemplary leadership of soldiers as a noncommissioned officer.

Octavius was a devoted Christian and man of God who lived out his faith with an attitude of thanksgiving. He served those around him with grace and humility without judgment or a sense of self-righteousness.

He was a member of the Imboden Baptist Church for 15 years and the Smithville Baptist Church for nearly five decades, where he served faithfully as a deacon and beloved Sunday school teacher.

He also drew strength from the beauty of creation. He was a hard-working farmer who found great joy in raising cattle, horses, pigs and chickens, cutting wood and producing hay and a large garden. The Smith's farm, Trail's End, has served as both a refuge and the center of family life for multiple generations.

Octavius is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Judith Anne Phillips Smith; his beloved sons and daughters-in-law, Wallace and Vanessa Kidd Smith, Keith and Tammy Randolph Smith, and Scott and Elizabeth Ronald Smith; grandchildren, Nathan, Alex, Austin, Jacob, AJ, Evan and Elena Clare; great-grandchildren, Carter and Stetson (inbound); and his siblings, Eva Harden of Mount Juliet, Tenn., and Marietta Martin of Gautier, Miss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Lyla, Lorna, Joyce, Victoria, Steve and Vesta.

His life and faith will be celebrated Saturday at Smithville Baptist Church with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and a funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest in Hope Cemetery at Imboden upon completion of the service.

The family sincerely thanks all of those in the community for their love and support and requests donations to the Smithville Baptist Church building fund in lieu of flowers.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Austin Smith, AJ Smith, Nathan Smith, Jacob Smith, Jared Smith and Brent Files.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Smithville Baptist Church.