Funeral for Ernest Orville Lee Smith, 82, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2012 at Western Baptist Church in Emerson with Mr. Jesse Dickison officiating and assisted by Billy “Bo” Prince, nephew.

Burial will be in the Western Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in Springhill, La.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Bailey Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith was born in Macedonia to Ernest Connell and Mattie Irene Green Smith on March 21, 1930 and died on Saturday, May 5, 2012 in Taylor following a brief battle with leukemia.

He was retired from International Paper Company with 28 years of service and bought and sold used tractors and farm equipment. He cut and baled hay for the public for many years.  He was a member of the Antioch Church of Christ. He loved gospel singings and was known for being a gospel song leader. He loved hunting and fishing, playing dominos and checkers with family and friends. He was an avid basketball and baseball fan for surrounding schools. His most enjoyable were the last four years following his grandson, Tate Smith, playing high school baseball. 

He is survived by sons, Barry N. Smith and wife, Judy, of Emerson,  Conny R. Smith and wife, Lydia, of Shongaloo, La. and Philip L. Smith of Emerson; daughter, Sharon S. Griffin and husband, Bruce, of Springhill, La.; brother, Lamar Smith and wife, Diane; sister, Faye Prince and husband, Joe, both of Springhill, La.; grandchildren, Amanda Broom and husband, Brady, Ed Grant and wife, Brooke, Heath Grant and wife, Caroline, Tate Smith, Ben Griffin, Brian Griffin and Lucas Smith; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other family members; and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and granddaughter, Angela Smith.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ed Grant, Heath Grant, Tate Smith, Lucas Smith, Brady Broom, Baine Smith and Al Watson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gilbert Morgan, J. W. Robinson, Bobby Talley, Bruce Campbell and Mike Wilson.

The family would like to say “Thank You” to the physicians, nurses, and staff at  LSU Medical Center, Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Springhill Medical Center, and Serenity Hospice. Also a special thank you to the staff at Summit Health and Rehab for their outstanding love and care for the past three months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LSU Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and Southern Christian Children’s Home in Morrilton.

Sign our online guest book at www.baileyfuneralhome.net.

Published: 05/06/2012