Ovis Smith, Jr.
1943-2024
Ovis "Smut" Smith, Jr. was a loving husband of Jeannie (McNutt) Smith for 62 years. He was born July 13, 1943 in OKC, Ok to Ovis (Nig) and Neily (Barrett) Smith. He graduated from Capital Hill High School and then Central State College. He worked for IBM for 8 years where he was a very successful salesman accumulating national awards and later became a manager in Chattanooga, Tenn. After leaving IBM, he purchased and built two businesses. During that time he was accumulating rental properties which he ran until his death.
As a young man he was active in several sports and he always maintained his physical fitness.
At the age of 38, he accepted Christ as his Savior. He made a promise to God that he would read and study his Bible every day for an hour. He kept that promise up to the end. It was important to him to pass his knowledge on to his family.
He served in multiple positions in the church and witnessing was a constant in his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his great grandson, Declan.
He is survived by his wife, daughter Niki Smith-Steeley and her husband Ray, and daughter Mitzi Smith. He was also survived by five grandchildren that he loved dearly: Tate, Turner and wife Emily, Jaci and husband Aaron, Tyce Ovis, Ryli and fiancé Quentin; and great grandchildren: Henry, Gabriel, and baby on the way.
Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Matthews Funeral Home.