Postman known for going above and beyond retires after 32 years
A local mail carrier that has gone above and beyond his job description for over 32 years and received an unusual farewell from his mail route for his final day of deliveries.
The streets were lined with balloons and posters wishing Darrell Smith a happy retirement. 
Smith has been running the same mail route for over 32 years. In which time he’s managed to create a reputation worth celebrating. He’s not your average mail carrier. He takes on duties that you would only expect of your closest friends and family. Tasks like burying pets and preaching funerals. Dorris Ellis is one of the residents Darrell visits daily. She said Smith has been a light to her.
“Everyone that he delivers to is like a member of his family. I truly mean that. If someone’s sick, he may bring them food. If they need it ride to the doctor, he may take them to the doctor,” said Ellis. “He buried our kitty cat that had died. We were so close to that little kitty cat and he buried him. My husband was terminally ill. So I was staying at the hospital with him day and night. One morning, I look up and it was like, a quarter to six and there was Darrell he had brought my breakfast.”
Smith said in every job there is a chance to serve others.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s the only meaning of life. Life really consists of relationships. Of course the most important relationship is to the Lord and then secondly to people. Our work is a ministry , you know? Everyone thinks ‘well, a pastor, his work is in the ministry,’ but really everybody’s work is a ministry to serve others.” said Smith. “It always goes back to the Lord. The Lord has been good to me and has loved me. It is through His Word and through His Spirit, that he tells us to love others. So, it’s really just trying to love people and serving them. That’s all it really what it boils down to.”
Smith will remain active in the community. He said his first activity as a retiree will be heading to Zimbabwe to visit his Daughter and grandchild.
