Olie O. Smith

Olie O. Smith, 74, born in Princeton, N.J., departed this life Monday, February 28, 2005 after a long illness. Mr. Smith graduated from A.T. Johnson High School in 1948 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State College in 1954. Soon after, he received his commission into the United States Army, where he served as a second lieutenant. He went on to earn a master's degree from New York University in 1961. Mr. Smith served as principal of Cople-Montross Elementary School from 1958 to 1966. In 1966 he became a personnel management advisor at the Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren. During his tenure at Dahlgren, he founded the pre-coop program, which encouraged African-American high school students to pursue engineering careers. He retired in 1987 and established a small independent employment agency, Synergetic Employment Ventures. Mr. Smith authored a book, ''Find a Way or Make One,'' which was published in 1997.
He was a 33rd degree Mason, a member of Fredericksburg consistory 346 and past master of King George Masonic Lodge 314.
Mr. Smith left a legacy of community service. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP. He served as director of the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters, was on the board of directors for Rappahannock Community College, and was a member of the Civic Association and the Dahlgren Lions Club. He served on the King George Planning Commission, on the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board and the local Parent/Teacher Association. He also was a member of the Rappahannock YMCA Active Older Adults.
He is survived by his wife, Pearl Estelle Amy Smith of Dahlgren; two daughters, Gretna Y. Smith of Virginia Beach and Amy Smith of Spotsylvania County; and two sons, Dr. Timothy O. Smith of Columbia, Mo., and Thomas Louden of Fredericksburg.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Dahlgren Chapel, with Chaplain Cassandra Johnson and Chaplain Barbara Marshall officiating. The reamins may be viewed on hour before the service time.
A funeral also will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Salem Baptist Church, Mount Holly, with the Rev. William Curry officiating and the Rev. Woodland Holmes delivering the eulogy. The remains may be viewed on hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Union Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery in Laneview.
Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, Richmond Office, 530 E. Main St., Suite 200, Richmond, Va. 23219; or to Salem Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Annie Carey, General Delivery, Mount Holly, Va. 22524.

Funeral Home:
Cedell Brooks Funeral Home
25662 A.P. Hill Blvd
Port Royal, VA
US 22535