Russell Clark Smith, 83, went to be with the good Lord on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a short illness.

Funeral Services celebrating the life of Mr. Smith will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 13, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in  Mantachie. Visitation will begin at 11:00 prior to the funeral. Bro. David Turner and Bro. Kenneth Pollock will officiate. Burial will be at Stephens Cemetery.

Russell was born September 22, 1938, in Emmet, AR, to Perry D. and Viola Smith. He graduated from Emmet High School where he was an outstanding basketball and baseball player. He then joined the Air Force and was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base where he met Joan in 1960 and they married in 1961. In his later years, he played softball in Amory with several teams and coached them to several state tournaments. He was a 32nd Mason in which he was very proud of. He worked in construction his entire career.

He loved to fish and was an avid college sports fan and loved to watch his grandson, Derek and the Mooreville Troopers. He was an outspoken man with strong beliefs and believed a man's word was as good as a handshake. He also enjoyed going to visit friends or just hanging out at his cabin  n the Bud.

He was saved at the young age of 15. He served as Training Union Director at Smithville Baptist where he also helped start the RA program. He  was a member of Center Star Church in Mantachie.

He enjoyed his granddaughter bringing his youngest great-grandson, Jasper to visit. He also enjoyed watching all of his great grandchildren's accomplishments.

Survivors include one daughter, Cindy Smith of Mantachie; one son, Stephen Smith of Mantachie; one grandson, Derek Thompson (Joni) of  Mantachie, one granddaughter Andrea Christian (Jacob) of Mooreville; three great-grandsons, Brody and Ty Thompson of Mantachie and Jasper Tucker of Mooreville; one great granddaughter, Bella Gardner of Mooreville; one sister, Cloyce Damerio of Pennsylvania; one sister-in-law, Dixie Russell (Stacy) of Fulton; and several nieces, nephews, and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Perry D. and Viola Smith; his wife, Joan Russell Smith; and two sisters, Frances Schoonover and Nell Ivy.

Pallbearers will be Jackie Nichols, David Brown, Larry D. Brown, Britt Curtiss, Ted Ferguson, Ricky Dale Fleming, and Rashad Walker.