Wood Smith

Mr. Wood C. Smith, 97, of Cleveland passed away Thursday, October 13, 2011 at North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at Ray Funeral Home from 6:00 - 8:00 pm with a second visitation on Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00 pm. Funeral services will be at 3:00 on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 with Rev. Macklyn Hubbell officiating. Burial will follow in the New Cleveland Cemetery.
Mr. Smith was born on December 14, 1913 in Newton County to William Wyatt (W. W.) Smith and Kizzar Demaris Jones Smith (Kizzie Smith). Mr. Smith grew up farming with his father and brothers in the red hills of Mississippi, and he attended schools in Sebastopol, Mississippi where he finished his GED. After high school, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) doing electrical services and general construction for 18 months before joining Alabama Power and Light Company where he worked for several years as a lineman. He worked as an electrical serviceman for Coahoma Electric before he joined Mississippi Power and Light Company (Entergy) working initially in Greenville and Clarksdale before being assigned to Cleveland in 1941. Mr. Smith fell in love with hunting and fishing in the Delta, and he started taking flying lessons.
When the war broke out, Mr. Smith enlisted in the US Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II as electrician 2nd class with the 47th Construction Battalion (Seabees). After the war was over, he returned to Mississippi Power and Light Company as a serviceman in Cleveland. He continued flying lessons and received his private pilot license for single engine airplane in January 1947. In 1948, he married Ottie Griffin from Cleveland. Mr. Smith continued to work for Mississippi Power and Light Company as a serviceman until his retirement in1977.
Mr. Smith was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for 60+ years, a long-term member of the VFW, and a member of the American Legion for over 20 years. Mr. Smith was a mason for over 65 years becoming past master and high priest. He was an avid gardener, hunter, fisherman, and horseman. He helped organize the Cleveland Saddle Club and its trail rides and horse shows.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents, W.W. Smith and Kizzie Smith; his wife, Ottie G. Smith; and his daughter, Diane Demaris Smith; his sister, Susanna Champion; his brothers, W. K. Smith, Lewis Smith, Howard Smith, and Lamar Smith;
Survivors including his daughter, Linda A. Smith of Cleveland, MS and Kaufman, TX; his nephews, Bill Smith of Albertville, AL and J. C. Champion of Queen City, TX; and his niece, Lynette Granade of Mobile, AL

First Visitation

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Second Visitation

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Service Information

3:00 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment Information

New Cleveland N. Bayou Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States