Eddie B. Smith

Published 5:00 am Sunday, October 20, 2013

    Services for Eddie B. Smith will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Stephens Funeral Home, with burial in Magnolia Cemetery.

    Eddie B. Smith, born Jan. 6, 1916, in Kemper County, passed away peacefully into heaven on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, while staying with his eldest daughter in Lexington, Ky. Educated in Mississippi, he worked at several hosiery mills before becoming plant manager of Commonwealth Hosiery Mill in Ellerbe, N.C. While in North Carolina, he served as president of the Rotary Club and later as president of the Lions Club before retiring in 1983 to his home in Meridian.

    Ordained a deacon in the Baptist church, he was also a member of the Log Rollers Sunday School Class and loved singing and traveling with the senior choir at Faith Baptist Church in Meridian, where he was a member.

    A quiet man, like his father, Mr. Smith loved hunting and fishing when he was younger. His mother instilled in him a love of flowers and gardening, a favorite pastime all his life. Woodworking became a late life hobby and he would spend hours in his outdoor “shed” creating gifts of love for his family, whom he loved dearly.

    He is survived by his three daughters: Joyce Barfield (the late Emett) of Lexington, Carolyn Miner (Henry) of Cleveland, Ohio, and Becky Dadisman (Earnest) of Gaineville, Ga.; granddaughter, Cora Taylor (Art) of Cleveland; his grandsons, Emett Barfield of Lexington, Frank Miner (Penny) of Katy, Texas, Mark Barfield (Mindy) of Lexington, Ed Miner of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Michael Dadisman of Gainesville; great-granddaughters, Holly Barfield and Ally Barfield of Lexington; and great-grandsons, Hank Miner and Albert Miner, both of Katy, and John Miner of Pittsburgh.

    Mr. Smith also had a family that he adopted into his heart, who were very special to him: Regina and Darryl Uribe and their children, Cory and Richard, of North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Burnadyn Smith of Philadelphia; and numerous nieces and nephews who blessed his life along the way.

    He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 70 years, Martha McClelland Smith; his beloved parents, George Edward and Etna Pace Smith; eight brothers; and one sister.

    The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Faith Baptist Church, 5050 Highway 19 North, Meridian, MS  39307; Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2409 Members Way, Lexington, KY 40504; or to the charity of your choice.

    Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

    Visitation will be one hour before services at the funeral home.