Benjamin Othello Smith, Jr. passed on Oct. 18, 2023.  He was born on August 19, 1929 in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Benjamin O. Smith Sr. and Ruby B. Smith.  He was preceded in death by his father, mother, his brothers Travis and Al, and his son Donald Smith.

Ben graduated from Hampton Institute, now Hampton University and served honorably in the United States Army.  He retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and enjoyed traveling, cars, technology, guns, cameras/photography and ice cream.

He leaves behind his children Gerod Smith, Gary Smith (Joseph), Anita Howard (Barry); his siblings Florence, (Frank deceased), Tommy (Carol) and Sherman (Carmen); his grandchildren Kasey, Tiffany, Gerod Jr., Corey and Chris; his great grandchildren Nazir and Dream; and his beloved nieces and nephews.