May 28, 1936 – Jan. 16, 2018

 

BROOKHAVEN — Services for the Rev. Howard D. Smith, 81, of Brookhaven and faithful minister of God’s Word, who died Tuesday, Jan 16, 2018, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Friendship Baptist Church in Brookhaven.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Riverwood Family Funeral Services in Brookhaven.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Rev. Smith was born May 28, 1936, the son of Denman W. Smith and Ina Mae Smith.

He was a graduate of Loyd Star High School, Mississippi College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree.

He spent 62 years in the ministry including pastoring a number of churches in Mississippi and Louisiana. He served with Mississippi Associational Missions and the Louisiana Baptists Convention Board.

Rev. Smith was a devoted outdoorsman with a special love for fishing — an avid sports fan and followed his children and grandchildren in all their sports activities. He was a staunch Ole Miss supporter and a loyal West Lincoln Bears fan. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Rev. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jewel Smith; and one sister, Linda McKee.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou Smith; one son, Bert Smith of Natchez; one daughter, Salena Greenlee and husband, Mickey, of Brookhaven; three grandchildren, Brandon Smith, Ty Smith and Kayla Goodson; six great-grandchildren; and a number of other family members and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at riverwoodfamily.com.