Funeral services for Mr. J. Jerry Smith will be on Monday, March 8 ^th at 12:00 noon with burial to follow at New Hope United Methodist Church. Brother Michael Assink will be officiating the services with Brookhaven Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be Sunday, March 7 ^th from 5-8 pm at Brookhaven Funeral Home and Monday, March 8 ^th from 11-12 am at New Hope UMC.

Mr. Smith of Loyd Star, MS passed from this life on March 5, 2021. He was born on August 31, 1942, in Loyd Star, MS to Claude V. and Josie Vee Smith. He was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church. Mr. Smith was the valedictorian of the Class of 1960 at Loyd Star High School. He attended Copiah Lincoln Junior College for 2 years, and he was a 1965 graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. He was an engineer for Oliver/Wool in New Orleans, LA in the 70's and 80's before returning home to Loyd Star, MS.

Mr. Smith appreciated time spent with family and friends. He looked forward to his yearly reunion with his high school Class of 1960. He loved spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with his brother's and sister-in-law's. He enjoyed the yearly family reunions the first weekend of October spending quality time with everyone. Mr. Smith loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them especially his grandchildren.

In the mid-90's, Mr. Smith started a Louisiana tradition of red beans and rice on Monday nights. It started with a small family group that grew into a community gathering over the years to come. Mr. Smith enjoyed gathering with his family and friends for "Bean Night." What started as a simple tradition would grow into something that meant so much to each and every one.

Mr. Smith had a love for music that he shared with everyone through his singing. He loved to sing for his church family at New Hope United Methodist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Claude V. and Josie Vee Smith, and nephew, James Smith.

Survivors are his son, J.J. Smith and wife Skye, grandchildren Katelyn and Blaise Smith, brothers Jimmy C. Smith and wife Alice and G. Dale Smith and wife Verna. Nephew Jeremy Smith and wife Angie and nieces Jennifer Hutton and husband Mickey and Jennifer Morrison and husband Rob. He is also survived by a host of great nephews and nieces.

The family would also like to recognize that he is survived by his special friend, Grace Roberts.

Pallbearers are Blaise Smith, Jeremy Smith, Mickey Hutton, Gerald McGee, Blake Watts, and Nelson Newman.