Benny J. Smith

Benny J. Smith, 88, of Laurel went to be with the Lord July 27, 2019. He was born February 12, 1931 in Morton, MS to William Otis and Lillie Helen Moore Smith. He was married to Doris June Gordon for 64 years. Mr. Smith served in the Army and the National Guard. He was a watchmaker and owned Smith Jewelers in Bay Springs, MS for many years. He later became a Rural Letter carrier for the US Postal Service which he retired from. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Laurel. He was a wonderful loving husband, father and Papaw. He enjoyed gardening, camping and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Cliff Smith (Betty), Jim Smith (Doris), Bill Smith (Helen), Joe Smith (Irene) and Allen Smith. He is survived by his wife June; sister Ava Ann Arinder of Wichita Falls, TX; son Mark Smith (Amy) of Dover AR; daughters, Phyllis Walters (Blane) of Laurel MS, and Dianna Everett (Mike) of Forest, MS; grandchildren, Amanda Smith of Salt Lake City UT, Wesley Smith of Fayetteville AR, Anna Thornton (Jody) of Ellisville MS, Alana Blackledge (Royce) of Laurel MS, Alan Walters (Kiersti) of Laurel MS, Kristen Hutchinson (Bennie) of Pulaski, MS, Kayla Mason (Cody) of Starkville, MS, Hunter Everett of Forest, MS ; great-grandchildren: Reese Walters, Lana Walters, Alliegh Walters, Kiley Buse, Addie Blackledge, Hank Blackledge, Bo Blackledge, Lila Kate Thornton, Derek Thornton, Carter Hutchinson and Easton Hutchinson. Visitation will be held at Memory Chapel on Wednesday July 31, 2019 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Memory Chapel on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. with interment following at Memorial Gardens. Dr. Randy Turner will officiate. Pallbearers will be Blane Walters, Alan Walters, Mike Everett, Hunter Everett, Royce Blackledge, Jody Thornton, Wesley Smith, Bennie Hutchinson, and Cody Mason. Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. Jack Evans and members of Dr. Doug Jefcoat's Sunday School class at First Baptist Church Laurel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 207 West Jackson Street, Suite 1, Ridgeland MS. phone# 769-230-0611 To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapelaurel.com. .

Benny J. Smith

February 12, 1931 - July 27, 2019