Oliver Blane "Smitty" Smith

Mr. Oliver Blane "Smitty" Smith, 89, of Halifax, Virginia, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025, in Halifax, Va. Born September 18, 1935, in Clover, Va, he lived a life marked by dedication to family, service to his country and community, and a deep love for the land. A proud graduate of the first class of Halifax County High School in 1954, Mr. Smith went on to enlist in the U.S. Army and completed training at the Military Police school. After his service was completed, he later became a farmer, a worker at US Plywood, a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, and ultimately the postmaster at the Alton, Va post office, where he retired in 2001 - a role that he took great pride in. Mr. Smith was deeply rooted in his community and faith as a member of Scottsburg Methodist church, which he attended for many years. Mr. Smith enjoyed cooking, planting, and tending to his garden, after which he would often give away much of the produce to friends, family, and neighbors.

Mr. Smith was a past member of the Halifax County Rescue Squad, Scottsburg Fire Department, Esquire Club, and Woodmen Life Chapter 106.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Christine Smith of Halifax, and his sons, Dr. Carrington Smith (Susan) of Atlanta, GA; Jeff Smith (Celeste) of Halifax; Gerald Smith of Halifax; and Adam Smith (Hayden) of Roanoke. He is also survived by his sisters Josephine Billingslea of Virgilina and Bernice Inez Conner of South Boston; and his stepchildren Jeffrey Farrar (Bonnie) of Keswick, Kellie Wilkins (Gary) of Halifax, and Kimberly Koenig (Alan) of Virginia Beach. Mr. Smith had three grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

He was blessed with many special friends, including Mike and Donna Daniel, Charles and Nancy Waybright, Gary Colwell, and Scott Crute.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Geraldine Farrar Smith; his stepson, Jimmy Farrar; his brothers Herman, Clarence, and Bernard Smith; his sisters Louise Clark and Gladys Clark; and his parents, Cephas Smith and Virginia Conner Smith.

Funeral services will be held at Powell Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Dan River Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and other times at the family’s home (1055 Highland Hills Dr. Halifax, VA 24558)

The family wants to thank everyone from 1st Care at Home hospice services for their excellent care. The case worker, social worker, chaplain, aides, and volunteers are such a wonderful group of people, and the family asks that God bless each of you. We also want to thank Vickie Toombs, Cathy Whitt, and Rick Sims for the wonderful care of Mr. Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html)

Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/donate/)

Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate) 

Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.