Mr. Ernest Smith's Obituary
Ernest Smith, Sr., son of the late Forrest Smith and Lucille Moore was born April 1, 1928. He transitioned into eternal life, December 15, 2015. He grew up in Starkville, Mississippi and attended Oktibbeha County High School. He finished first in his class. Two days after graduating from high school he was inducted into the United States Army where he spent six years while stationed in Europe, the Far East and the United States. Following an honorable discharge from the Army, Ernest attended Jackson State University (formerly, Jackson State College) and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry under the G. I. Bill. Beginning in 1960, he began to further his education through the National Science Foundation, by attending college and universities in various states throughout the country; California, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Mexico. As a result, he holds a Masters Degree in Physical Science. "Mr. Smith" the educator, motivator, mentor, guidance counselor, advisor, businessman, civil rights activist and champion for equal education for all students, had a career that lasted fifty (SO) years plus. He taught Electronics and Radar at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi; Chemistry, Physics and Math at Panola County High School, in Panola County, Mississippi; Johnson Memorial Junior College; East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi; T.J. Harris Junior College and Meridian High School here in Meridian. His unwavering support continued through his community service. He was Chairman of the "Redline" Christian Coalition (Ward 5); Director of a tutorial service held at Meridian High School(sponsored by LEAP); Volunteer tutor in Chemistry, Physics, Math, ACT and SAT standardized tests; Volunteer for Love's Kitchen and Meal on Wheels; Elks Metropolitan Lodge; Hearty Forty; Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholarship Program; NAACP and Jackson State University Alumni. As a result of his efforts, he has enabled students and adults to find jobs, receive thousands of scholarships to various colleges and universities and reap the benefits of his teaching and learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Lewis Moore, and three sisters, Shirley J. Bedford, Mary Elizabeth Reed and Emma Jean Moore.
He also loved his farmer church in Starkville, Mississippi, Griffin United Methodist Church where Rev. Ludrick Cameron and Elder Eddie Lee Jones became his former pastors. He continued to support his church faithfully, even though he was no longer able to attend. His passion was teaching and his love was education. Teaching the total child was his goal. Teaching a child to think was his mission. You can lead child to college, but you cannot make him think. "You can't teach a child unless you know a child': he would say. "And that means you need to know where he comes from, where he's been and where he wants to go before you can teach and train him how to get there. To love what you do and feel that it matters---how could anything be more fun?"
Our beloved Ernest Smith leaves in the care of God, his wife, Willie Mae; sons, Byron A. Smith, , Huntsville, AL and Ernest Smith, Jr. and his wife Tonya, Madison, MS; daughter, Cynthia G. Smith-Stennis, Meridian, MS; grandchildren, Steven Shadwick, Tameka, Jamaal, Brittany, and Crystal Stennis and Tauna McCall; great grandchildren, Tanasia, Daly, Christiana, Jamya, Jamaal, Chyna, Jaylen and Ja'Kiyah Stennis, Dasia, Joiya, Austin and Bailee McCall; nieces, nephews, a host of other relatives and friends.
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