Joseph Octavious Chapman Sr. died peacefully at his home in Smithfield on Nov. 5, surrounded by family and friends and his wife of 63 years, Betty.

Joe was born in Smithfield on July 6, 1934, and was predeceased in death by his father (Octavious), his mother (Joan Jesse), his sister (Mary Francis), his brother (William Rea), and niece Sandra Blackwell. Joe enjoyed family activities, boating and fishing on the James River, vacationing with the family in Maine, and church activities. Joe began his work life with his uncle Leon Chapman at the grocery store on Main Street and then worked 43 years for the Smithfield Packing Company, serving as supervisor in the shipping and receiving departments. Joe has two sons: Joseph O. Jr. and wife Alison, and William Lloyd and wife Cynthia; seven grandchildren: Courtney and Matthew; Maria and Madison; Cameron, Corey and Caitlyn; and two great-grandchildren: Sophia and Seura; nieces and nephews, Helen, Ricky, Randy and Vickie.

Visitation at Little’s Funeral Home will be open from 6 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9. A memorial service will be at Whitehead’s Grove Baptist Church on Route 10, Smithfield, at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, followed by burial in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.