Conner Doyle Smith

Conner Doyle Smith, Raymond, MS, died peacefully after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home in Jackson, MS, where he had been a resident for the last several years. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday followed by a chapel service at 3:00 pm all at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton. Burial will be on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the Society Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Jeff/Davis County.

He was the son of David DeLoach and Queenie Rayburn Smith and was born on January 1, 1929 in Morgantown, Marion County, Mississippi. He married Joyce Nelson on August 7, 1949 and remained her husband and constant companion until his death. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson, MS.

He entered the armed forces in 1945 and served in the Navy during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1947. He was an Attorney, graduating Cum Laude from the Mississippi School of Law. He was a Petroleum Landman and began his career in the oil and gas industry with Gulf Oil Corporation in Shreveport, LA. He later moved to Jackson and was District Land Manager with Florida Gas and Exploration Company. He went on to establish Conwood Exploration Company, in Jackson, with Elwood Ruhl in the late 1970’s. He would later work as a District Land Manager for Santa Fe Minerals in their Jackson office. After Santa Fe Minerals closed their Jackson office he remained in the Jackson area and worked as an Independent Petroleum Landman until he was forced to retire in his late 70’s due to failing health.

Conner had a thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader. He was drawn to non-fiction books and particularly liked History and Medical books. He could frequently be found reading in his spare time and always had a dictionary at his side. He also penned several entertaining and thought provoking short stories which were enjoyed by his family.

He was pre-deceased by his son, Conner D. Smith, Jr., his parents, his brothers Percy Smith, Homer Smith and Toxie Smith, his sisters Vera Smith Cabley and Laverne Smith Shinn. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce Nelson Smith of Raymond, his sister Wilma Smith Oglesby of Sun City, AZ, his daughter, Dr. Cathy Smith Paterson (Robert) of Jacksonville, FL, sons Scott N. Smith of Clinton, MS, Kevin D. Smith (Karen) of Decatur, GA, his grandchildren, Melanie Smith Stewart (Troy) of Raymond, MS, Kimberly Smith-Freeny (Brian) of Brandon, MS, Chloe Robinson Beasley (James) of Decatur, GA, Colin M. Paterson and Ryan N. Paterson of Jacksonville, FL, Olivia C. Smith of Decatur, GA, and by his great grandchildren, Cindy Melton, Andrea Melton, and Mallory Melton, all of Pearl, MS, with whom he spent many happy occasions; and Andrew Beasley of Decatur, GA.

His family would like to thank his friends for their friendship throughout his life time and particularly the staff at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home for their loving care in his final years. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in his honor to Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson, MS.