Miles Anthony “Dick” Blount Sr. departed this life on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, at Riverside Hospital. Miles was the son of the late Richard H. and Irene Spratley Blount. Born in Smithfield, he attended Isle of Wight Training School and graduated in the class of 1950-51. After graduating, Miles attended Norfolk State College (Little State). He left Norfolk State after one year and went to Saint Paul’s College, where he earned a certificate in masonry.

After leaving Saint Paul’s, he married Dorothy Liggins Blount on June 10, 1952. Miles began working at Gwaltney Packing Company as a truck driver, where he remained for 43 years. Miles was Gwaltney’s Driver of the Year and was awarded the safe driver award for 23 consecutive years without a chargeable accident. While driving for Gwaltney, he also worked weekends as a longshoreman for a number of years. After retiring from Gwaltney and two years around the yard, he went back to work for Isle of Wight County Public Schools as a bus driver. He drove for them for 13 years before his health sent him home.

Miles was a lifelong member of Hill Street Baptist Church (now Main Street Baptist Church). During that time, he served as a member of the usher board and Men’s Fellowship.

He loved fishing, gardening and tooling around in the yard. He took a lot of pride in bringing home a nice catch of fish and the taste of his home-grown veggies from the garden, cooked by the love of his life. He loved his family, especially those granddaughters, who he played with all the time. Miles also took pride in providing a home that was always open to the extended family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 69 years, Dorothy L. Blount; four children, Vicky Robertson (Landus), Miles Blount II (Shirell), Allen Blount (Annette), Terry Blount-Williams (Stewart); grandchildren, Cory Blount, Landus Robertson II (Ieshia), Tymillia Robertson, Schuyler Williams, Danielle Lassiter (Derrick), Ashley Robinson (Donte), Allen Blount II; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. His remaining siblings include Edward Blount (Doris), Theron Blount (Marion), Connie Johnson; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends; special children, Valerie Butler, Jerrell Wilkerson, and Stephanie Valderrama.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at Main Street Baptist Church, Smithfield. Interment will be in the Baptist Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Arrangements by Poole’s Funeral Home.