Olan Smith

Olan Opal Smith, age 98, passed away peacefully at his home in Flat Rock, Alabama, on January 7, 2026.

Olan was born on February 13, 1927, in Waynesville, North Carolina, to the late Robert Dewey and Josie Ruby Reeves Smith. He was a man of deep faith and enjoyed attending church throughout his life. He was a member of Straightway Baptist Church in Bryant, Alabama.

Music was one of Olan’s great joys. He was an accomplished bluegrass musician and played for many years with a group known as The Golden Valley Boys. In addition to his love for music, Olan was an ordained minister and preached for several years, sharing his faith and message with others. He also enjoyed tending his garden and, above all, cherished time spent with his family.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Treva Delores (Keith) Lane; sons, Mark David Smith, Carl Rayburn (Ellen) Smith, Oddis Lee (Shirley) Smith, and Nelson Dale (Betty) Smith; sister, Lorene Farmer; grandchildren, Austin Cordale Haun, Kaleb Christopher Haun, Carl Smith, Cynthia Osborne, Angela Dawn Smith, Travis Smith, Arlene Smith, Lori Deliguori, Oddis Smith, Lora Beth Smith, Matt Smith, Shelly Smith, and Destiny Smith; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Olan was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patricia Ann Smith; his children, Franklin Delmus Smith and Opal Paulette Smith; and siblings William Lincoln Smith, Arthur Hugh Smith, Clara Emma Mae, Jewel Edward “Gus” Smith, Harley Ray “Huck” Smith, and Ada Louise “Baby Doll” Holder.

A funeral service to honor Olan’s life will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET (2:00 PM CT) at Straightway Baptist Church, with Brother Gary Bone, Brother David Johnson, Brother Brent Smith, and Chaplain Neal Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:00–5:00 PM ET (12:00–4:00 PM CT) at the Bryant Chapel of Moore Funeral Home, and again on Monday at the church from 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT) until the service hour.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the hospice staff and to his son, David Smith, for the loving care provided to Olan over the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Moore Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses.