James E. Smith
TLBAA member James E. “Jimmy” Smith Sr., 63, of Magnolia, died Feb. 18, 2010, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. A member of the Dixie Texas Longhorn Association, Mr. Smith and his family operated JS Longhorns at Magnolia, and exhibited numerous champions through the years.
Mr. Smith was born Sept. 23, 1946, in McComb. He was the son of the late Charles D. and Vivian S. Smith.
A retired Pike County businessman, cattleman and row-crop farmer, he graduated from Magnolia High School in 1964 and Southwest Mississippi Junior College. He attended the University of Mississippi, returning to Pike County to manage McComb Glass Shop.
Mr. Smith owned and operated Jimmy Smith Chevrolet in Magnolia from 1972 to 1989, as well as Skinney’s Restaurant near Kentwood, La., from 1989 to 1998.
He simultaneously operated Jimmy Smith Leasing Inc. from 1980 to 2003, providing contract tractor-trailer service to MacMillan Bloedel Containers, and later transitioning to the provision of U.S. Government disaster relief contracting to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ flood and erosion control projects. Through these years, Mr. Smith farmed soybeans and wheat, and worked in commercial and registered cattle farming.
He served honorably in the Mississippi Army National Guard, 155th Infantry, from 1966-’72, and was a member of Unity Baptist Church in Magnolia. He held a private pilot’s license and was an avid supporter of state and local law enforcement.
Survivors include his wife Sherry Smith; a son and daughter-in law, James E. “Jim” Smith Jr. and wife Lesleye; two daughters and sons-in-law, Shannon Smith Reeves and Darrell and Shellee Smith Brewer and Burt; six grandchildren, Kathryn and James Hollis Smith, Stone Reeves and Lilee, Sophee and Gracee Brewer; a sister, Barbara Burris of McComb; his mother-in-law Edna Webb of Magnolia; two sisters-in-law, Becky Freeman and husband Chuck of Magnolia, and Debbie “Day” Farrar and husband Don of Meridian, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
