A celebration of life for Sherill Smith, of Smithdale, is Thursday, July 21, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Methodist Church in McCall Creek with burial in the church cemetery. Jones Family Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is  today from 5 until 8 p.m. at Ebenezer Methodist Church.

Mr. Smith, 86, died Sunday, July 17, 2016. He was born Nov. 5, 1929, in Brookhaven, to Albert “Boose” and Clara Mae Smith.

He married the love of his life, Nell Taylor Smith, on April 14, 1955. Together they had four daughters, Terry, Sherri, Lisa and Leigh. He worked at Armstrong Rubber Company for 42 years, both in Natchez and Little Rock, Arkansas.

His most favorite pastime was spending time with his family. His pride and joy were his 11 grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as “Papaw”, and his seven great-grandchildren, who all think he hung the moon. He loved coaching his girls’ softball teams, picking at his grandkids, fishing with his brothers and the Ole Miss Rebels.

Mr. Smith graduated from West Lincoln High School in Brookhaven and went on to complete his college career at Whitworth Community College with a degree in business. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy on the USS Randolph and received an honorable discharge in October of 1954. He was also a member of the Andrew Jackson Lodge #2. F. & A.M. and was a member of Ebenezer Methodist Church in McCall Creek.

Preceding him in death were his father, Albert “Boose” Smith; mother, Clara Mae Smith, of Brookhaven; and sister, Faye Jackson, Of Vicksburg.

Survivors are his wife, Nell; daughters, Terry Strain and husband, Allen, Sherri Bull and husband, Sonny, Lisa Watson and Leigh Polanski and husband, Matt; grandchildren, Cory, Andrew, Stephen, Justin, Brian, Hunter, Alex, Ben, Morgan, Grayson and Cameron; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Lancy and wife, Judy, Mike and wife, Pat Smith, of Brookhaven, and Linda “Sue” Ryan, of Baton Rouge; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend its sincere thanks for the love and support they have been shown throughout this journey. Special thanks to Ellie Boyd with St. Luke’s Hospice who provided such loving care to their Dad and all of their family. And to their family and friends they love and thank everyone for walking beside them throughout it all.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.

To share sympathies and condolences visit www.jonesfamilyfuneralservices.com