The Rev. Ellis Smith

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 28, 2007

WASHINGTON — Services for the Rev. Ellis Odell Smith, 85, of Vidalia, who died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at St. Francis North Hospital, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Washington Baptist Church with the Revs. Dale Little and John Ward officiating.

Burial will follow at Old Pine Hill Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

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Rev. Smith was born Feb. 24, 1922, in Sicily Island, La., the son of Edwin Oscar and Vera Cooper Smith. He was a pastor in Louisiana and Mississippi for over 60 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Lee Smith; his parents; and sister, Edna McDuff.

Survivors include his sons, Jerrell Smith and wife, Jean, of West Monroe, La. and Butch Smith and wife, Tricia, of Calhoun, La.; daughters, Brenda Barton and husband, Jackie, and Amanda Andrews and husband, Rick, all of Pineville, La. and Mary Tipton and husband, Guy, of Lake Charles, La.; wife, Donna Smith; sisters, Beatrice Wooten, Lorell Loomis, Murlyn McGregor, Dorothy Hamilton, Barbara Scarbrock and Marie Thornton; brothers, Elwaine Smith, Donald “Skipper” Smith and Richard Smith; brothers-in-law, Leon Warden and Jacob Warden; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a number of other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be deacons of Washington Baptist Church.

Honorary pallbearer will be Raymond Keathley Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions through Washington Baptist Church, P.O. Box 88, Washington, MS 39190.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.youngfh.com.