Willie Edmond Smart, Sr.

Mr. Willie E. Smart Sr. of Patrick Springs, VA, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Sovah Hospital in Martinsville, VA. He was born in Patrick County on July 28, 1943, to the late Delmar Smart and Ada Branch Smart. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smart was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred Smart, Charlie Smart, and Leon Smart, and one sister Helen Pack.

Mr. Smart served in the Army and was stationed in Vietnam from 1965-1967 and received the Vietnam Service Medal, the  Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal,  and the Expert Rifle Metal M - 14. After the military, he worked at Radford Arsenal in Radford, VA, and retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation in Meadows of Dan, VA.

He had attended Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church. He enjoyed helping others and serving food boxes to the public. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was humble and soft-spoken, a person who was full of energy, and love, and always kept everyone entertained. Overall, a pleasure to be around. Another soldier is coming Home!  

Mr. Smart is survived by his loving wife, Emma Mae Handy of Patrick Springs; two sons, Willie E. Smart Jr. (Janet Smart) of Knoxville, TN, and Shawn C. Smart (Victoria Smart) of Strawberry Plains, TN; two daughters, Stacie P. Bolt (Daniel Bolt) of Willis, VA and Sheila R. Smart of Gatlinburg, TN; three grandchildren: Christian D. Bolt of Christiansburg, VA, Miranda D. Bolt Jones (Lucas Jones) of Willis, VA, and Austin G. Smart of Strawberry Plains TN, and one great-granddaughter on the way; three sisters, Gracie S. Epperson of Ararat VA, Lorene S. Barker of Thomasville, NC, and Betty Jean Stultz of Martinsville, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service in recognition and remembrance of Mr. Smart’s life will be announced at a later date. Mr. Smart will be buried in Willis, VA.