James Lee Smith

Tupelo - James Lee Smith, 87, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2015, at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born in Itawamba County on December 29, 1927, to Ellie Lee and Callie Webb Smith. James married Dois Garner in 1956 and they were married 58 years until her passing in February. James Lee owned and operated Smith's Grocery in Skyline for many years. He was an avid gun enthusiast and held several skeet shooting records. His expert marksmanship was not limited to guns, but also sling shots. Many memories were made by those who frequented his store or those who just happened to stop by and met a very unique man. James was a giving person and always doing anything he could for others. His generous heart led him to donate finacially to several charities. He was a faithful member of East Main Church of Christ. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Jefferson Street Chapel with Minister Gary Williams officiating and Clovis Burch delivering the eulogy. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Survivors include sister, Mary Lou Smith Walden of Tupelo; sister-in-law, Lavern Garner Dearman; brother-in-law, C.B. Davis; nieces, Lynne Walden Palmeiro (Rafael) of Colleyville, TX, LuAnne Walden Funderburk (Paul) of Tupelo, Martha Burch Tubb of Amory, Carolyn Burch Harris (Charles) of Poplar Bluff, MO, Dorothy Smith Sandroni of Marion, AR, Callie Smith Meyer of Memphis, TN, Dr. Jean Chittom Smith (Bob H.) of Mooreville, Janice Chittom McKinney (Robert E. ) of Fulton, Julia Dearman Wood (Ewing) of Dorsey and Janet Dearman Byrge (Jerry) of Helenwood, TN; nephews, Steve Walden (Kathy) of Tupelo, Scott Walden (Kristie) of Birmingham, AL, Kelby Smith (Martha) of Florence, AL, Clovis Burch of Shreveport, LA, Lee Thomas Burch (Eugenia) of Birmingham, AL, James Murray Smith (Carolyn) of Tupelo, Louie Dearman (Charlotte) of Tupelo, and Terry Dearman (Karen) of Saltillo. He was preceded in death by both parents, his beloved wife of 58 years, Dois Garner Smith; sister, Olean Smith Burch (Leeman); brothers, Omer Smith (Esther) and Julian Smith (Clytee); sisters-in-law, Opal Chitton, Arvy Garner and Roberta Garner Davis; brothers-in-law, Glen O. Dearman, Aubrey H. Chitton, Fred Walden and Clyde R. Garner; niece, Faye Smith Grissom; nephews, Mike Walden, David Dearman and O. B. Smith. Pallbearers will be Steve Walden, Scott Walden, Paul Funderburk, Clovis Burch, Lee Burch, James Murray Smith, Terry Dearman and Leonard B. Schaefer, III. Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2015 at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo. Memorials may be made to the East Main Church of Christ 1606 E. Main Street, Tupelo, Mississippi, 38804 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com