Wayne Smith

TUPELO - James DeWaine "Wayne" Smith, 77, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at the Golden Living Center after a long illness. A native of Itawamba County, he was born Nov. 25, 1931, to Joseph Aurthur and Essie Mae Hill Smith. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and received the Purple Heart for his injuries. Earlier in his life he worked as a truck driver for L.P. McCarty Co. and Cockrell Banana Co., as well as several independent trucking businesses. He also served in the ministry of the Holiness Church. He was a member of Furrs Tabernacle Church. A talented artist, he enjoyed painting.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with the Rev. Randy Boyd and the Rev. Wayne Berry officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Jernigan Cemetery in Pontotoc County.

Survivors include a special friend, Margaret Duke; five sisters, Louise Thomas (James) of Baldwyn, Virginia Watts of Pontotoc, Sue Lollar (Ray) of Cullman, Ala., Estelle Jackson (Homer) of Saltillo and Itasca Hester (Odel) of Guntown; a special cousin, Katherine Lowery; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Rebecca, Maxine Smith and Dorothy Smith.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.