Mr. Richard Smith

Mr. Richard Smith, 78, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at his home near West Point. Richard was born on November 14, 1945, in Columbus, to the late Cordist and Willene Caradine Smith. After the death of his father Cordist, Mrs. Willene remarried Henry D. Watson, who raised Richard from an early age. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Henry Watson. Richard was a 1963 graduate of West Point High School and earned an Associate's Degree from East Mississippi Junior College in 1965, where he played football for the legendary Coach Bull Sullivan. Mr. Richard was quick to acknowledge that some of his best memories were playing football in Scooba for Coach Bull Sullivan. After graduating from East Mississippi Junior College, Mr. Richard owned and operated Smith's Farm and Garden in West Point for over 30 years and loved his customers like they were family. He got his pilot’s license so he could use it to go get parts for his equipment and fly over the fields he was to fertilize. Even though he enjoyed flying, no one in his family would fly with him. He loved the outdoors where he was happiest at home living on the land, hunting deer, turkey, rabbit, and also fishing. He said the happiest day of his life was when his mom (Willene) married Henry Watson, because he felt like it was heaven on earth because he loved exploring, hunting, and just living. He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn, on August 22, 1964, and together they shared 60 years of marriage. He adored his two girls that he said were tougher than any two boys he knew. He did not miss any events that his girls or his grandchildren ever participated in. His mother's family were some of the founding members of Christ United Methodist Church, where he would later serve as a board member. He also served as a board member at Oak Hill Academy, where his girls attended school. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He especially loved his nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 P. M. at First United Methodist Church in West Point. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Charles "Bulldog" Coggins officiating and assisted by Reverend Chad Bowen and Chaplain Adam Garner. A private family graveside will follow in Vinton Cemetery near West Point. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Evelyn V. Smith of West Point: two daughters, Amy Smith Buckley (Bob) and Shannon Smith Greenan (Daryl), both of West Point: three grandchildren, Richard Chantz Smith (Sam) of St. Louis, Missouri, Jakob Wood Smith (Jade) of Columbus, and Willa Grace Greenan of West Point: five great-grandchildren, Aidan Jakob Smith, Damon Frances Smith, and Lydia Joyce Smith, all of St. Louis, Missouri, and Presley Matthew Gaskin and Elliott Alexander Gaskin both of Columbus: two sisters, Patricia Cantrelle and Jane Upton (Carey), both of West Point: two brothers, George Watson (Sallie Mae) of Strong, and James Watson (Bonnie) of West Point, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Chantz Smith, Jake Smith, Dr. Charlie Upton, Kevin Smith, Scot Simmons, Dan Turnage, Luke Nichols, and Tim Strickland. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Ned Miller and the Nurses and Staff of Gentiva Hospice. Memorials may be made to the Vinton Cemetery Fund, c/o Evelyn Smith, 873 Darracott Road, West Point, Mississippi 39773. Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com

Mr. Richard Smith

November 14, 1945 - October 26, 2024