Herbert Smith

Herbert D. Smith\ Florence, MS\ \ \ Herbert Smith, 79, died at his home in Florence Friday, November 19, 2010. Visitation will be Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 5-8 and Sunday, November 21 from 1pm until the 2pm service at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence. Interment will follow the service in the Garden of Memories.\ \ Mr. Smith served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Korean Campaign Ribbon with four bronze battle stars. He had additional awards including Combat Infantryman's Badge, the United Nations Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was also known as a sharp-shooter for his excellent marksman skills. His most prized accomplishment during his time of service was marrying his lifelong sweetheart, Bottsy in 1952.\ \ After his service in the Army, he returned to the states and was employed at Ford Motor Company in Louisville, KY. His primary role at Ford was quality control manager.\ \ For the next era of his professional career, he returned to his home state of Mississippi where he spent the remainder of his life. He began his Mississippi employment at MPI/DeSoto industries. Again, his work was in quality control where he moved to the ranks of upper management.\ \ In 1968, he moved his family to Rankin County where he purchased a farm. This was his life's dream. As he began work on the farm, he also continued his work in Jackson; working 18-20 hour days from his Jackson job and on the farm. Shortly after, the farm was self-sustaining (six years), he gave his full-time efforts to both it and his family. \ \ In 1979, after long and arduous work on the farm, he determined to go into politics. Spurred to run by many in the county, he was successful in his first ever political campaign. He ran for county supervisor district one and he was elected for three consecutive terms. He recently recalled this time as the highlight of his career because of his ability to help others. He met many lifetime friends during this phase of his life. After completing his service as an elected official, he began work for the county in the Sheriff's Department in 1992. He retired from this position in 1998.\ \ He was a Master Mason and was awarded the 50-year button in the fall of 2009 by the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. He had a heart for helping people as was evidenced by his loyalty to his church, Trinity Baptist, his community, his family and a multitude of friends. \ \ He was a husband, a father and a friend to all that knew him. He was best known for his generosity, his big heart and his love of his family. \ Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bottsy Raye Smith;three daughters, Sharon Farmer; Wanda Maulding and Jeanne Park ; four grandchildren, Carrie, David, Jessi and Jake; two step-grandchildren, Jeanie and Kayla; one sister, LaNelle Perkins; three sons-in-law, Ron, Gary, and Chris, and a host of nieces and nephews. \ \