Sam W. Smith

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm, Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services are 10:00am, Friday, February 20, 2015 in the funeral home chapel. Graveside services will follow at 12:30pm in the Clear Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, Wesson.

He was born Saturday, October 11, 1919 in Jefferson County, a son of the late George Lewis Smith and Lilly Varnado Smith. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during WWII in the European Theatre Operations. He married after returning from his tour of service, then moved to Jackson where he and his wife raised their family.

Mr. Smith was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during WWII in the European Theatre Operations. He retired as a branch manager from Tri-State Mack of Meridian after 20 years of service. A 32nd Degree Master Mason, Mr. Smith was a member of Capitol Lodge No. 600 and the Jackson Scottish Rite. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, mechanic work, and traveling to the Smoky Mountains with his family. In his later years, he enjoyed playing his banjo and guitar in the “music room” and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Jewell Tarver Smith, brother, Alfred Smith, and sister, Cara Hughey.

Survivors include son, Phillip Wayne Smith and wife Zelda; daughter, Karen Smith LaJambe and husband Andy; daughter, Marilyn Smith; grandchildren, Michael Wayne Smith and wife Katey and Sondra Wynette Johnson and husband Kevin; and great-grandchildren, Jessica Elizabeth Smith and Breylan Gregory Smith.