Retha Smith Osteen

Retha Smith Osteen, 94, entered into her heavenly rest on February 18, 2026. Retha was born on August 25, 1931 in Abbeville, Alabama; she was the daughter of Frank and Thelma Smith.

Raised in Columbus, Georgia, Retha attended Jordan High School and was a member of the Class of 1948. In 1951, she married Al Osteen, also from Columbus, and together they traveled much of the world during Al’s twenty-year Army career, raising two sons.

In 1998, Al and Retha moved to Augusta to be close to their grandchildren. They became members of First Baptist Church of Augusta and joined the Ballentine Sunday School class.

Retha was preceded in death by Al, her husband of 65 years, her sister Dorthy Durden, her son Brant, and her mother and father, Frank and Thelma Smith. She is survived by her son Mark (Sherri), 2 grandchildren: Samantha Osteen-Forys (Philip), Eric Osteen (Erin), and 4 great grandchildren, Brady Osteen, Pearce Osteen, Anderson Osteen and Christine Forys.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Retha and Al Osteen Memorial at First Baptist Church of Augusta.

A memorial service will be held at The Storey Chapel of First Baptist of Augusta at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The family will receive friends immediately after the service.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com