Blanche Lou Smarr

On August 4,2026 the world lost a beautiful soul, and our family lost our guiding light. It comes with great sadness to announce that Blanche (Jeannie) Lou Smarr passed away at the age of 70 surrounded in a room filled with love and broken hearts from some of her closest loved ones in Lynchburg, Va.

Born on July 12, 1956, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Blanche was the second of nine children born to Clyde and Shirley Carmichael. She met her husband, Carl, at the age of 17. Although their marriage to each other didn’t last they remained close for many years and eventually in 2007 they found their way back to each other and remarried, sharing a very special bond. She loved him with all her heart; he was her soulmate.

Blanche was a woman who had a love for the Lord first, followed by her love and dedication to her family. To her husband, Carl Eugene Smarr, she was his lifelong love and companion. To her son, Michael Smarr, she was his safe harbor during any storms he went through, his biggest encourager, and supporter always believing in him and providing him a safe space to be himself and know how deeply loved he was. To her granddaughter, Ashley Minks-Martin and her husband, Tristen, she was the one who listened with her whole heart and loved with no limits. Ashley and her grandmother shared a bond unlike any other. She was so proud of Ashley and Tristen for the life that they were building together as Tristen followed his dreams of joining the Army although she missed them greatly. In addition to Ashley, she also leaves behind three grandsons who she also adored, Michael Dickerson, Tyler Dickerson, and Elijah.

She is also survived by her father, Clyde Maynard Carmichael and her siblings, Cheryl Reil, Rick Carmichael, Glen Carmichael, and Terry Carmichael; and her caretaker, Marlene “Buckwheat” Mayberry who Blanche affectionately called “Gertrude”.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley M. Carmichal, her siblings, Peggy Carmichael, Linda Carmichael, Jim Carmichael, and Dennis Carmichael.

In addition to being a loving wife, mom and grandma, Blanche enjoyed having fun and she enjoyed being outdoors, spending time at the river and going out to meet up with friends and dancing the night away. She worked as a cashier at the Red House Market, Templetons on 460, Murphy’s, and a transport driver for the railroad prior to retiring.

She will be greatly loved, missed, and cherished.