Ernest Smith

Obituary for Ernest J. Smith Tupelo - Ernest J. Smith, 83, died Monday, September 5, 2011, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. A Lee County native and lifelong resident, he was born February 21, 1928, to Clyde and Vera Robbins Smith. He was a 1948 graduate of Mooreville High School, earned his associates degree from Itawamba Community College, and also attended Mississippi State University. He served two years in the US Army during the Korean War as a records clerk. Early in his working career he worked 17 years for Daybright Lighting. He then opened Smith Custom Jewelry which he owned and operated for over ten years. He also contracted jewelry work for JC Penny and Sears and drove a school bus for the Tupelo City Schools for 11 years. Later he worked for various jewelry stores in Tupelo including Orman and Maxcy, Stone Jewelers, and Dreifus Jewelers and Knight's Jewelers in Houston. Lastly, he worked as a courier for Associated Couriers. He was a member of Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church where he loved singing in the choir over 50 years. He enjoyed quartet and southern gospel music, especially the Bill Gaither Homecomings. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Terry Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Eggville Cemetery. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Hazel Jeanette Stanford Smith of Tupelo; one daughter, Myra Smith Killough (Eddie) of Tupelo; two grandsons, Joshua Killough (Amy) of Robertsdale, Ala. and Matthew Killough of Tupelo; two great-granddaughters, Jessica Lyn and Karleigh Deanna Killough. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Faye Gattis and Betty Palmer; two brothers, Holland Smith and Aaron Smith. Pallbearers will be Brad Smith, Chad Smith, Mark Palmer, Todd Palmer, Steve Palmer, David Stanford, Allen Stanford, Dennis Stafford, Tracey Davis, Jason White, Eddie Killough, and Terry Killough. Visitation will be continue noon until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to to the Ernest J. Smith Family Trust Fund through the Renasant Bank.