Services for Grover Smith, of McComb, are 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov.12 at Hartman Funeral Home of McComb with burial in HollywoodCemetery.

Visitation is today from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Smith, a retired McComb businessman widely known as one ofthe area’s best fishermen, died from complications of a stroke onNov. 9, 2005. He was 85. He was a resident of Camellia Estates inMcComb.

Mr. Smith, who owned and operated Acme Sheet Metal Works inMcComb until his retirement in 1979, remained in vigorous healthuntil he suffered a stroke on Sept. 29, followed by a second strokeon Oct. 29.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Gladys FlowersSmith. The father of five children, he was preceded in death by hisson, David Anthony Smith, of McComb; his parents, Marshall andCharity Smith; two sisters, Marguerite Corban and Margie Martin;and one granddaughter, Lacey Baker Smith. Surviving children areKathy Burnes, of McComb; Delores Bell, of Memphis, Tenn.; MikeSmith, of McComb, and Karen Wallace, of McComb.

A native of Lincoln County, he was the son of Marshall andCharity Smith, of the Bogue Chitto community. He graduated fromBogue Chitto High School and attended Delgaddo Technical School inNew Orleans, where he learned the sheet metal trade.

He formed Acme Sheet Metal in 1955 and operated the companysuccessfully for 32 years with his wife serving as his partner andsecretary. As a businessman, Mr. Smith was known as hard working,reliable and honest.

“He was a simple man with old-fashioned values,” said hisdaughter, Karen Wallace, of McComb. “Everybody knew that his wordwas his bond.”

During his long retirement, Mr. Smith enjoyed camping withfellow members of the Good Sam’s Club and fishing at his camp atManchac Pass on Lake Marepas. He frequently caught catfish thatweighed more than 40 pounds and provided the main course fornumerous fish fry events. His longtime fishing companions includedSonny Marsalis and J.R. Greer, of McComb, both deceased, andcurrent McComb residents Cliff Moak and Edwin Ethridge.

Mr. Smith was also known for the large vegetable garden heplanted each summer at his home. His garden fronted Highway 98 Eastjust east of the South Magnolia intersection, and passersbyfrequently stopped to discuss his crop. He also raised blueberriesand figs, which he shared with friends.

In addition to his wife and children, Mr. Smith is survived byfour sisters. They are Elizabeth (Penny) Hart and Louise Walker, ofBogue Chitto; Brenda Montgomery, of Brookhaven; and GeraldineEthridge, of Hattiesburg.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren, twostep-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His grandchildrenare Jason Maxwell, of McComb, Jennifer Smith Dumas, of McComb,David Bell, of Memphis, and Josh Bell IV, of Santa Barbara, Calif.,Bridget Smith, of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Melita Smith, ofMemphis, Sara Wallace Anderson, of Starkville, Jamie Wallace, ofMcComb, and Julie Wallace, of Hattiesburg. Step-grandchildren areJason Howell and Teri Watson, both of McComb. Hisgreat-grandchildren are Ashlynn Maxwell, Jack Dumas and LaceyDumas, all of McComb.

He was a member of East McComb Baptist Church.

Members of Barracca Men’s class at the church and Cliff Moak andEdwin Ethridge will serve as honorary pallbearers

Pallbearers will be Jason Maxwell, Dr. John Dale Dumas, Bo Bell,David Bell, Bryant Anderson, Jason Howell and James Watson.

Memorials may be made to the East McComb Building Fund, EastMcComb Baptist Church, 800 Pearl River Ave., McComb MS 39648.