William Sammy Smith

William Sammy Smith, age 74, of Water Valley, MS passed from this life Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN with his family by his side. He was born January 10, 1948, in Marks, MS to Sam and Ruth (Hester) Smith.

Sammy spent the early part of his life in Fresno, California where, in 1969, he married the love of his life, Florence Marie Smith. In March of 1973 he and Marie moved back to Mississippi to raise their family. Sammy spent thirty years working in Oxford at the former Georgia Pacific Plywood Mill as a forklift driver until he retired. Sammy loved going fishing and watching westerns. But above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren. Sammy was a quiet, kind and gentle man with a big heart for other people.

Visitation is planned for Monday, July 25, 2022, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 PM with Bro. Jerry King officiating. Burial will be in Yellow Leaf Baptist Church Cemetery in Lafayette County.

Sammy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marie Smith of Water Valley, MS; one daughter, Christy Callahan (Glen) of Oxford, MS; three sons, Randy Smith and Michael Smith, both of Water Valley, MS, Darren Smith of Bosman, Montana; four grandchildren, Averie Brooke Smith Curvin (Tyler) of Water Valley, MS, Evan Hill, Macon Callahan and Jordan Callahan, all of Oxford, MS; One sister Lynn Cillufo (Joe) of Clovis, CA; one brother Louis Ray Smith (Karen) of Oxford, MS; three sisters-in-law Mary Harper (William 'Bud") of Payne, AL, Francis Ledbetter of Brookings, OR and Betty Hall of Sweet Home, OR; two brothers-in-law, Lynn Lawhon of Water Valley, MS and David Lawhon of Port Orford, OR; as well as a host of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

As well as his parents, Sammy was preceded in death by three brothers; Johnnie Williams, Sam 'JR' Smith, Leroy Smith; and one sister Shirley Hayes.