Owen J. Smith, beloved husband of Ruth B. Smith, died Friday, March 8, 2013. Born in Lakeland, Georgia, Owen was the son of the late Charles Thomas Smith and Dorothy Keys Smith. Owen retired after many years as an administrator with the South Carolina State Department of Transportation. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, he lived a life marked by service to others and by his love for family and friends.

Owen is survived by his wife, Ruth B. Smith; daughter, Pamela (Mack) Pierce; grandchildren, Drew and McKenzie Pierce; sister-in-law, Jane Smith; special niece, Sandra Moore Sneed; and numerous other nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles E. and Ronald E. Smith.

A funeral service for Mr. Smith will be held 3 o'clock, Sunday, March 10, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia, with the Rev. Gilbert Linder officiating. Burial will follow in Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday at the funeral home from 5 until 7 o'clock. Memorials may be made to The Harvest Church, Children's Program, 4865 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072. Memories and condolences may be added to the online guestbook at ShivesFuneralHome.com.