Funeral services for Mr. Jimmy W. Smith Sr. were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Pinola.  Bro. Josh Smith officiated.  Mr. Smith, age 85, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord early Saturday morning, May 27, 2023, at the Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg.

The Smith family received friends Tuesday from noon until the hour of service at 2 p.m. at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers were Dennis McCollum, Lloyd McCollum, Kade Thaxton, Ayden McCollum, Dino Magee and Charles Walker.

Jimmy W. Smith Sr. was born on April 29, 1938, in Prentiss, to Truly and Stella Bracken Smith.  Mr. Smith, a lifelong resident of Prentiss, worked for many years delivering gas for Herring Gas Company in Prentiss.  Afterward, he served the citizens of Jefferson Davis County as a Road Foreman under Beat 5 Supervisor Bobby Rushing until his retirement.  Mr. Smith had several things he enjoyed including working in his garden, riding his tractor and fishing.  He also loved his dogs.  He will also be remembered as being an excellent cook. His family remarks that he was excellent on the grill and that everybody also wanted his recipe for cornbread.  Mr. Smith loved his family, and they will cherish the times they all spent together; especially when everyone gathered at his daughter’s home for a him to fry his catfish, a treat everyone raved about.  Mr. Smith was a Baptist.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, Truly and Stella Smith; his son, Ricky J. Smith; two brothers, Harry and Thomas Smith and his sister, Faye “Sis” LaSyone.

His memory will forever be cherished by his wife of 28 years, Thelma “Betty” Smith of Pinola; five sons, Jeffery W. Smith (Vivian) of Carthage, Lester K. Smith of Lena, Jimmy W. “Richard” Smith, Jr (Samantha) of Prentiss, Lloyd McCollum of Pinola, Dennis McCollum (Jessica) of Brookhaven; his daughter, June Jackson (Jeff) of Carthage and his sister, Jo Ann Dunaway of Prentiss.  The legacy of their Pawpaw will also live on through his 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com