Frank Smith

FRANK SMITH Harold Franklin "Frank" Smith, age 87, died peacefully at Trinity Place on Saturday, February 17, 2018. A worship service celebrating his life will be Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Tony Proctor and Rev. Jerry Horton officiating. The interment will immediately follow at Friendship Cemetery . Visitation will be Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory 2nd Ave. location and also one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at First United Methodist Church . Frank was born in Columbus, MS , on December 8, 1930, to the late Ola Mae and William Herman Smith, Sr. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He served in the Air Force and later returned to Columbus , where he became a partner in the accounting firm of T. E. Lott, where he practiced until retirement. Frank was active with his wife, Laurice, in a number of roles in the First United Methodist Church in Columbus . He became chief babysitter to support Laurice while she served as church organist. He taught Sunday School in earlier years, served on the official board of the church, served in roles with church finance, including working as Church Treasurer for 13 years and was commonly seen collecting offerings from Sunday School classes in the Fellowship Hall each week as Church School Financial Secretary until the last few weeks. Frank was active through the years in the Columbus Host Lions Club in variious roles. He served on assorted community boards such as Boy Scouts of America and American Red Cross. He loved fishing and hunting, pastimes which he shared with his sons and grandsons. Frank and Laurice travelled throughout the United States and Canada in their RV, visiting most national park areas on numerous occasions. They found themselves inspired by God's creation. They also enjoyed following the MSU Baseball Team around the country. Frank was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Laurice Ferguson Smith, and brothers, William Herman Smith, Jr. and Lawrence Earl Smith. Frank is survived by three children, Amelia Annelle Smith Perkins (Lyndon) of Tupelo, MS, Harold Franklin "Hal" Smith, Jr. (Leslie) of Columbus, MS, and Laurice Claire Smith Swede (Greg) of Olive Branch, MS, seven grandchildren, Michael David Perkins (Betsy) of Tupelo, MS, Anna Christine Perkins Russell (Benjamin) of Brooklyn, NY, Nathaniel Haywood Perkins (Molly) of Pasadena, CA, Harold Franklin "Trey" Smith, III, of Columbus, MS, Andrew Horace "Drew" Smith of Columbus, MS, Shelby Anne Swede of Olive Branch, MS, Bradley Laurence Swede of Starkville, MS, and James Franklin Swede of Olive Branch, MS, and two great grandchildren, Evangeline Grace Perkins of Tupelo, MS, and Gwendolyn Louise Perkins of Tupelo, MS. Pallbearers will be the grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Columbus Host Lions Club. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Women, Laurice Smith Fund, P.O. Box 32, Columbus, MS, 39703, of Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS, 39740.