Russell Paul Smith, "Big Russ",  69, died Friday, December 22, 2023. A lifelong resident of the Peninsula, Russell attended Kecoughtan High School. During his senior year, he was involved in an automobile accident which left him with a brain injury. Russell had a huge smile. His greatest joy was sitting in his recliner watching The Price is Right or any basketball game. A Coke or sweet tea Big Gulp and Tootsie Rolls were his favorite snacks and he was also known to enjoy a Big Mac.

Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Mattie and Columbus Smith, Jr. and his brother, Scotty Smith who dedicated their lives to lovingly care for him following his accident. He was also preceded in death by his niece, Jessica Louise Smith. Survivors include his brother, Robert B. Smith (Rose); two nephews, Russell "Little Russ" (Jamie) and James Smith; a great-nephew, Landon Russell Smith; two nieces, Crystal and Carmen Smith and their families; and his sister-in-law, Brenda Kay Smith who loved and cared for him for over 40 years. He will always be remembered since his name lives on through his nephew and great-nephew.

The family would like to thank James River Convalescent Center for their loving care of "Big Russ" over the last few years as well as his social worker, Katrina.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Parklawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the American SIDS Institute, 528 Raven Way, Naples, Florida 34110 in memory of Russell's niece, Jessica.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.