The education system in Lincoln County, as well as thecommunity, suffered a loss Tuesday with the death of long-timeeducation veteran Harold Luther Smith.

“He was a natural among people. Folks enjoyed being around him,and I think he had an influence on all who met him,” said one ofhis brothers, the Rev. Dr. Talmadge Smith.

Smith, 58, died July 2 at University Medical Center inJackson.

He served as superintendent of education for Lincoln CountySchools for 12 years, retiring from education in 1995.

“He contributed 30 years of his professional life to LincolnCounty Schools. He certainly left his mark on our school system,”said Perry Miller, the current superintendent of education.

Also during his career, Smith served as Title I Coordinator forLincoln County Schools, principal and teacher at Bogue ChittoSchool, as well as being a member of the board of trustees and anadult educator at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

“Mr. Smith hired me as principal at West Lincoln School in1989,” said Miller. “I always had the greatest respect for him as aprofessional, and I grew to consider him a personal friend.”

Along with his dedication to providing a quality education tothe students in Lincoln County, Smith also had an obviouscommitment to the community and his church.

“He had 30 plus years of perfect attendance in Sunday School,”said his brother, the Rev. Smith.

Harold Luther Smith was a member of Friendship Baptist Church,where he served as deacon, supply minister and Sunday schoolteacher. He was the music director for over 30 years.

He also served the community by singing and playing music atchurch revivals, benefits and other events. He was a member of theBlue Angel Band that performed Christian music decades ago, saidthe Rev. Smith.

“I’m sure his presence will be missed in Lincoln County,” saidMiller.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Friendship BaptistChurch with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is scheduledfor 5-10 p.m. Thursday at Brookhaven Funeral Home.

Smith was born Sept. 17, 1943, in Lincoln County.

Other survivors are his wife, Yvonne Sanders Smith; his mother,Marguerite Case Smith of Brookhaven; another brother, Carrey Smith,both of Brookhaven; and his sister, Elsie Jean Thompson ofBrookhaven.

He was preceded in death by his father, Martin L. Smith.

Memorials may be made to the Harold Luther Smith Fund at Bank ofBrookhaven.