Aug. 24, 1941 – March 27, 2018

 

NATCHEZ — Services for Lucian Turney “Pete” Smith, 76, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at his residence, will be 11 a.m. Friday at Parkway Baptist Church with the Rev. Rajesh Behara officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Smith was born Aug. 24, 1941, in Lorman, the son of Jessie Harvey Smith and Ruth Starnes Smith.

He was a member of Parkway Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher and junior choir worker. He retired in 2004 as manager of Natchez Electric Company after contracting West Nile Virus. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at St. Catherine Wildlife Refuge, receiving a number of awards for volunteerism including commendation from then President George W. Bush. Mr. Smith was a member of the Natchez Lions Club, serving in various offices. He was district governor of the Mississippi Lions Club. He lived and believed the Lions Club motto, “We Serve.”

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Lucian “Luc” Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty Jeane Hill Smith; one daughter, Shannon Smith Bell; one son, Justin LeHill Smith and wife, Trinidad; three grandchildren, Jordan Bell Amborn and husband, Rob, Caitlin Bell Kinghton and Roman Garrett Smith; four great-grandchildren, Louis and Mary Hannah Amborn, Jason and Ethan Knighton; two sisters, Margie Smith Whittington and husband, James, and Ruby Smith Dickerson and husband, John; two brothers, Roy Harvey Smith and wife, Opal, and Phillip Smith and wife, Betty Ann; and one sister-in-law, Thelma “Baby Ruth” Gammill.

Pallbearers will be Robert Amborn, Derek Whittington, Dr. Matthew Whittington, Lyn Delaughter, Ricky Long, David Melton, Jesse Smith and Mike Ellard.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Stephens, Kenny Jackson, Mike Rice and Les Hill.

Memorials may be made to Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village or to a charity of choice.

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