Samuel Oscar Smith, Jr.

Samuel Oscar Smith, Jr. was born on June 4, 1925 in Riddleville, Georgia, to Samuel Oscar Smith, Sr. and Laura Davis Smith. S.O. was 100 years old when he passed away on December 6, 2025 in Dublin, Georgia.

After his mother died on December 29, 1931, he and his younger brother, Harry, lived with relatives, on a farm near Wrightsville with their Uncle Francis (Bud) Davis. Their maternal aunt, Lynette Davis Martin, paid special attention to the boys.

S.O. graduated from Wrightsville High School. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and achieved the rank of Flight Officer. He spent the duration of World War II serving stateside.

He met the love of his life, Bobbie Bentley, in Augusta in early 1947. Both he and Bobbie were employed at Bush Field, where he was working as an aircraft mechanic and she was a clerk in the office selling surplus World War II airplanes. They were married on July 15, 1947 after dating six months. After their first son, Douglas, was born in February 1949, they moved to Macon, and he began his civil service career at Warner Robins Air Force Base. He started as an aircraft mechanic. He progressed through the civil service ranks to ultimately become a Logistics Specialist.

He and Bobbie welcomed sons Russell Stuart Smith on October 1, 1952 and Walter Cecil Smith on February 4, 1957. They were devoted parents and grandparents, supporting and encouraging their sons and grandchildren in both their education and their careers.

S.O. retired while in his fifties and enjoyed his long retirement years. After Bobbie’s retirement, they moved to their dream home in Dublin to be close to Russell and his family. They celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary in 2024. S.O. was preceded in death by his brother Harry on September 23, 2003, his son Russell on April 15, 2019 and by Bobbie on January 30, 2025.

He is survived by sons Douglas and Walter, daughters-in-law Genie O’Neal and Beth Patillo Slater, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. S.O. will be buried next to Bobbie and Russell in Highlands, North Carolina.

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Smith family.