Kirt Smith

Tupelo—Murry Kirt Smith, 51, passed away peacefully to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 26, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Kirt was born in Tupelo on June 30, 1973, to James Murry and Carolyn Orr Smith. He was a graduate of Tupelo High School and then went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in English from Millsaps College in Jackson. 

After graduation, Kirt resided briefly in Oregon and again in Mississippi where he began a short career in banking, only to discover his passion for the arts was pulling him elsewhere. He followed his heart to New Orleans, Louisiana where he became manager of the Jamie Hayes Art Gallery in the French Quarter and remained for almost 20 years, leaving only for a short time in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Concurrently, he established his second residence in Counce, Tennessee and loved escaping to his rural haven on weekends and as often as time allowed. In most recent years he moved back to Tupelo to assist with his parents’ care in their retirement years where he lived his final years with his mother after the passing of his father in May of 2020. 

Kirt was a generous, loving, and charitable friend who was passionate about helping others. He loved traveling, specifically to Asia where the culture and people indelibly left their mark on his heart. He loved experiencing live music and cultural events, eating good food and wine with friends, and taking his best friend and beloved dog, Hughes, on walks in the woods. Kirt was a dedicated son, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle who prioritized family above all else. His personality and laughter were warm and engaging, and his spirit for kindness and loyalty was indomitable. 

Kirt was preceded in death by his father James Murry Smith.

He is survived by his mother, Carolyn Orr Smith of Tupelo; his sister, Anna Kourtney Smith Fox (Randy) of Charlotte, North Carolina; his brother, James Kip Smith (Page) of Tupelo; his sister Kym Waldrop (Terry) of Tupelo; his nieces and nephews, Desmond Smith of Florence, Alabama, Hunter Smith of New Orleans, Louisiana, Jacy Hubschmann (Kevin) of Brooklyn, New York, Christian Smith (Nathalie) of Destin, Florida, Hannah Bell (Hunter) of Winona, Ben Smith of Destin, Florida, and Kylie Waldrop of Panama City, Florida. Kirt is also survived by six great-nieces and nephews and his faithful dog, Hughes.

Visitation will be 12 until 2 p.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Pegues, Tupelo.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues Funeral Directors with Rev. Matt Powell officiating. Graveside services will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park. 

Pallbearers will be Jim Cheney, Rhett Perkins, Jose Simo, John Chadeayne, Gabriel Aguilera-Aiola, and Brian Pourciaux Owens.

Memorial donations in Kirt’s name may be made to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society or Sanctuary Hospice House.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com