Mass of Christian burial for Mr. Joseph R. O. Smith, Jr., 71, who entered into rest on Friday, December 15, 2017, will be conducted at 11 o’clock on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Fr. Dan Papineau, Celebrant. A Rosary to the Blessed Mother will be prayed at 10:30 AM in the Resurrection Chapel. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall following the service, and other times at their residence. Burial will be in Florence National Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his honor to the charity of one’s choice. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home is serving the family.
Born in Wadley, GA, he was a son of the late Joseph R. O. Smith, Sr. and the late Mervin Futrel Smith. He died on December 15, 2017, after a year-long battle with cancer. He graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1967 and attended U.S.N.R. Officer Candidate School in New Port, Rhode Island where he achieved the rank of Ensign U.S.N.R. After an honorable discharge, Joe graduated from Michigan State University with an MBA in Accounting. After a long work history, he retired to enjoy reading European history, traveling, but most importantly, spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Katharine Robson Smith of Hartsville, SC; daughter, Alexis (Chip) Mason of Hartsville, SC; son, Matthew (Kara) Smith of Arvada, CO; grandchildren, Phillip, Katie and Jordan Mason, all of Hartsville, SC. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Zoe Smith