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James Karl "Jimmy" Smith

The funeral service for James Karl “Jimmy” Smith will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 1, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Hawkins Chapel Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Monday, July 31, at Riverwood and will resume Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

James "Jimmy" Karl Smith was born April 27th, 1951 in Detroit Michigan to R.E. Smith and Eileen May Kissel Smith.

The Family moved to Brookhaven Mississippi in 1959 where he attended Enterprise school. He played sports in high school and was chosen to play for the All-Star basketball team of 1969. While at Enterprise, he was All District, All Mid-south Conference, All County and All South Mississippi All Star-in basketball. Let it be noted, he kicked the first field goal at Enterprise. After graduation he went on to play basketball at Co-Lin on a basketball scholarship. After graduating from Co- Lin, he began a career with Illinois Central Railroad. He started as a signalman for Illinois Central and moved into a supervisory position for CN. He worked for the Railroad for 42 years. He met the love of his life, Angela, and she met her Romeo at the Exchange Club fair in the Fall of 1972. They married in September of 1973 and were going to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 8th. In their 50 years, they enjoyed beach trips, Canton Flea Market excursions, raising children, gardening, ballgames, dance recitals and building anything Angela might imagine. They made a beautiful life together.

Jimmy carpooled his granddaughter, Ann Claire, from school, to McDonalds, to ball practice all the while giving her unsolicited life advise. Lessons to live by and pass on!

Jimmy and Angela were tightly woven in their congregations. Every Sunday Jimmy arrived early to turn on air conditioning or heating for parishioners of Hawkins Chapel and on weekdays he was watering the plants at Friendship Baptist Church. He was a dedicated Christian being active at both churches. As a member of Hawkins he was the trustee, and as a member at Friendship, he was active on multiple committees as well as serving as a Deacon. Jimmy and Angela together attended both services every Sunday.

Jimmy was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2008. After treatment he was blessed with the gift of being healed. He lived a full life after his treatment. As a devout Christian, Jimmy's priorities were God, family, and friends. He walked the walk and talked the talk. He practiced the ways of God and extended a helping hand to many in need. Beloved community-wide and especially by his children, Carrie and Cole, his grandchildren, Tyler, Rayne, Riley, Ann Claire, Beckett, Shepard, Noah and Great grandchild, Kennedy Ann with another one on the way. The circle keeps expanding.

His Christian faith will be carried on by them all with the loyal support of his son in law Daniel and daughter in law Whitney as Jimmy modeled a loving, faithful parental figure.  

Other than deer hunting his favorite pastime was coaching. He coached both of his kids in all their sports endeavors as well as volunteering to coach his niece and nephew and so many other school children. Traveling around the county, coaching them, supporting them, as if they were his own. He enjoyed coaching and watching all of his grandkids play ball. He successfully passed on his love of sports to his children and grandchildren. And, to them all, he will always be an all-star.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Mike Smith; nephew, Blaine Hamilton; and father-in-law, Vernon Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Angela Smith; children, Carrie Case (Daniel) and Cole Smith (Whitney); sisters, Marilyn Wilson (Mickey), Sherry Lewis (Steve), Kathy Hamilton (David); sister-in-law, Teresa Smith; seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one other great grand on the way. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Ann Smith;  brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Glyn and Tawanda Smith and Stanton and Renee Dossett as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.

The family would like to extend many thanks for the grand expressions of love and support. Keep the love and prayers deep in your hearts for Angela and the kids. May God be with you.

 

 

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11 comments

  • Comment Link David Cureington Wednesday, 20 March 2024 14:12 posted by David Cureington

    Angela
    This is David Cureington I had talked to Jimmy on July 16 we had talked about getting together with the guys we had worked with.I didn’t know he passed away I am so sorry i hope God will wrap you and your children in His arms and keep all y’all safe till you see him again.Please remember to be absent from the body is to is to be home with the Lord
    Our prayers are with you

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  • Comment Link June Applewhite Thursday, 03 August 2023 17:44 posted by June Applewhite

    Angela, So sorry for your loss! Jimmy was a special person and will be missed by all! Prayers for you and your family

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  • Comment Link Vickie  Wes Fitzpatrick Vic Tuesday, 01 August 2023 09:08 posted by Vickie Wes Fitzpatrick Vic

    Dearest Angela, & Family,
    Wes and I are most sincerely sorry for your loss of your dear loved one, Jimmy.Our entire family
    Wishes to convey our heartfelt sympathy and love for you and your family. Our prayer is that you all may be comforted ' by the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials'( 2 Cor.1:3,4).
    Remembering you in our prayers,
    Vickie & Wes Fitzpatrick & Family

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  • Comment Link Bobbie Calcote Tuesday, 01 August 2023 07:51 posted by Bobbie Calcote

    Thinking of you and your family.

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  • Comment Link Debbie Smith Monday, 31 July 2023 18:32 posted by Debbie Smith

    Angela I’m so so sorry! You and Jimmy had a wonderful love ! As long as I can remember you always talked about Jimmy! You are a strong beautiful person and I pray for you in the days and weeks ahead! You have always been so beautiful and sweet to everyone ! I’m just so so sorry and I hope you know you are loved by everyone! ❤️❤️Debbie SMITH !! ???? My prayers are with you! ???????

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  • Comment Link Vicky Wallace Monday, 31 July 2023 16:34 posted by Vicky Wallace

    Sending prayers of strength, comfort, and peace for you, Carrie , Cole and your family. I will see you soon. ????

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  • Comment Link Becky Dunn Sunday, 30 July 2023 13:29 posted by Becky Dunn

    Angela and family, I’m so sorry for the passing of Jimmy. God, You. and Jimmy fought a battle for a long time which gave y’all many more years together….almost time to celebrate 50 years together married, but close enough. I so would like to attend the services but I’m now living in Houston close to Chris due to a broken ankle/foot and a broken left wrist/hand from falling episodes. Please, know that everyone is in my thoughts and prayers. and much LOVE sent your way.
    ?♥️?♥️?♥️?♥️?♥️?♥️?

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  • Comment Link Mike Rainer Sunday, 30 July 2023 10:24 posted by Mike Rainer

    What a wonderful example of why God allows us to walk this earth. To spread His love. Jimmy was truly a servant of the Lord. Angela, Cole, Carrie and family, you will be in our prayers.

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  • Comment Link sandra cliburn Saturday, 29 July 2023 13:04 posted by sandra cliburn

    My Prayers Are With Ya'll John 14

    Sandra Cliburn
    Co-Lin 70-72

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  • Comment Link Marilyn killingsworth Saturday, 29 July 2023 11:06 posted by Marilyn killingsworth

    Angela, Brookhaven will not be the same without Jimmy. I loved him and I know he loved me. I know you are strong but you are going to miss him so very much. Yalls ministry to me when mama passed was beautiful and I’ll never forget it. Will be praying for you and the kids. Love you Angela.

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  • Comment Link Faye Smith Saturday, 29 July 2023 05:21 posted by Faye Smith

    Thoughts and prayers are with you Angela and family . Was so sick to have heard this . Love you. Pray God give you the strength you need at this sad time .

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