Ross Allen Smith

Passed away on January 20, 2015 at his home. Born December 6, 1926 in Kenton, TN. to Henry T. Smith and Birdie Mae Smith. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy. Ross worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for 14 years before founding American Refrigeration Heating & A/C Company in 1959. He was a member of the Oak Grove Lodge #293 in Olive Branch, MS, the Al Chymia Shriners in Memphis, TN and the Wahabi Shriners in Jackson, MS He was a member of the Olive Branch Shrine Club where he was one of the founding members of the Olive Branch Motor Corp and the Yellow Dog Unit.

Ross is preceded in death by his son, Ross Allen Smith, Jr.; sisters Laverne Barton, Estelle Mann; brothers Lonnie Smith, Tom Smith, J. H. Smith, Robert Smith. He leaves his wife of 49 years, Charlotte Jones Smith; five children, Christopher Lynn Smith, Deborah Woods, George Kisner, Belinda White and Rhonda Smith Walters, all of Olive Branch; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; brothers James Smith of Memphis, TN and Jerry Smith of Jackson, TN.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 24 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Brantley Funeral Home, 6875 Cockrum Road, Olive Branch, MS. There will be a funeral service immediately following the visitation at 2p.m. A Masonic graveside service will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery located at 5668 Poplar, Memphis, TN. A meal for all friends and family will be served to celebrate the life of Ross Smith at the Olive Branch Shrine Club, 9765 Old Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS following the graveside service. If you prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.