Jimmy Louis Smith Jr.

Jimmy Smith Jr., 68, passed away on October 30, 2024, in Greenville, MS.

Jimmy Smith Jr. was born on July 27, 1956 in Baton Rouge LA, to Jimmy Smith Sr. and Mildred Smith.

Jimmy spent most of his life in the Delta. Instead of finishing high school his senior year, he decided to go into the work force where he would eventually join his father in what would become a generational underground utility business. He took over the business when his father got sick and expanded to the point that he was doing work across the south east. He always ensured it would remain a family business by hiring many of our family members to work in different positions throughout the years. Some of those who came to work for Jimmy weren't family when they came, but were family by the time they left. Many came to simply know him as, "Boss." When asked later in life why he never went to work for someone else to help with stress, he responded, "I've been working for myself my whole life. Why would I want to start working for someone else now?" Jimmy ran Smith Construction (Earthtec.) until he retired.

Jimmy married the love of his life, Karen Smith, on August 6th, 1985. The wedding would come soon after his future father-in-law repossessed a borrow grilled and told him, "Why buy the cow when you are getting the milk for free." They would live on Lake Ferguson for the entirety of their marriage. Their relationship would become a great example of what true love was as they overcame lack, sickness, struggles, disagreements, and many other adversities over the years. When Jimmy was asked how they held their marriage together, he responded, "I tell her I love her and that she's beautiful every day. She's my beautiful baby."

Jimmy was the father of five boys; Jimmy (Jimbo) Smith 3rd, Thomas Smith, Frankie (Melissa) Smith, Scottie Smith, and Jae (Christina) Smith.

In the last year Jimmy exemplified the ability to handle grief in an amazing fashion. In the last years of his life he endured hardships that would have crippled others. His mind began to go about 10 years ago. In 2020, he became a double amputee. In 2023, he lost his wife of 38years. During those years he also lost both of his parents and numerous friends. Still, he did what he always did and kept moving. He cleaned his house. He made his bed. When a tree fell in his yard he went outside with a reciprocating saw in his wheel chair, determined to get it out of his yard. We've learned many lessons from my Jimmy, but his example of endurance despite pain is one of the best lessons that we can carry with us and instill in our children.

Jimmy spent many nights in his younger years hiding from Honeybun at the Hideout and later at both iterations of the Boat Dock. Needless to say, those hiding spots weren't the best because he always go caught. However, he and Honeybun were baptized together a few years ago, mostly because he didn't want to get in front of a crowd without her. He was committed to being in church every chance that he got. Today, he is whole. His mind is sharp, he is with Honeybun, and if there are any sewer or water lines in need of installation in heaven, he will be heading up the job. He may take off early to get a head start home to his mansion, but he'll be sure to get there during normal banking hours.

Jimmy had many loves in his life. Honeybun, was his entire world. After that, he loved his boys. In his last year most of what he talked about was how much he missed Honeybun and how much he enjoyed talking to his sons, sisters, extended family, and friends (who would often times have to fix his microwave or television). He loved his grand-children, probably more than he loved his boys. His proudest moments were seeing the births of each one of them. Regardless of proximity, he loved them all the same. Jimmy loved to work and tinker. He is one of the hardest working men to ever exist. His work schedule for most of his life was 6-7 days a week. When he wasn't home, he was tinkering on something. In his later years, tinkering probably saved his life... because Honeybun threatened to kill him many times when he would follow her around because he was bored.

Jimmy also loved to try to fix or build things. This taught those around him a valuable lesson: hire professionals. Almost everything that he "fixed" ended up more broken after he got his hands on it. We had to be regularly remind him that Smith Construction involved underground utilities and not ANY OTHER FORM OF CONSTRUCTION. Generally, if he built it, smart people weren't using it.

Jimmy is survived by his sons Jimbo Smith, Tommy Smith, Frankie Smith, and Jae Smith. He is also survived his sisters, Nancy Stevens, Sheila Wren, Patricia Woodruff,and Donna Minchew, along with a host of grand-children, nieces and nephews.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his mother Mildred Smith, his father Jimmy Smith Sr., his wife Karen Smith, and his son Scottie Smith. A visitation honoring Jimmy Louis Smith Jr. will be held from 12-1PM on Saturday at Restoration Church, Greenville, MS.

A Memorial Celebration of Life service for Jimmy Smith Jr. will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday November 9th, at Restoration Church, Greenville, MS

Burial: [Old Plank Cemetary], [Vaiden, MS].

Memorial donations can be made in Jimmy's name to [Restoration Church in Greenville,MS].