Jessie was born April 13, 1921 in Florence, MS, son of Walter and Lela (Becknell) Smith. He married Marlys Newnham on February 25, 1983. Jessie was a graduate of Florence Elementary School; affiliated with Victory Baptist Church; Jessie was an Army Veteran of WWII where he received a Purple Heart. He loved hunting, traveling, cars, yardwork and gardening. He watched wrestling and loved all his grandchildren, his favorite country singer was Johnny Cash.
Jessie is survived by his wife Marlys; sons David Furman, Donald Smith and Tommy Smith all of Rockford; daughters Julie Cofield of Rockford, Barbara Varner of Florence, MS, Carol Smith of Illinois, Joyce Knox and Tammy Cowan both of Rockford, Pamala Sue Smith of Groton, CT.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jessie was preceded in death by his parents, son Richard Furman and daughter Linda Carol Smith.
A service to celebrate Jessie’s life will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday September 1, 2015 at Advantage Funeral Home 7000 West State St. in Rockford with visitation one hour before services. Burial with Military Honors will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
