James Arthur Smith, better known as “Jimmy,” of Senatobia, Miss., was born on Sept. 4, 1937 and passed away on July 7, 2025 at the age of 87.
He was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Calloway C. Smith and Annie Lurline Harris Smith and was their first-born, but soon began welcoming his five siblings who he loved dearly (in time).
Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Calloway C. Smith; his mother, Annie Lurline Harris Smith; his siblings, Bill Smith, Bobby Smith, & Judy Smith Chance, as well as his beloved wife of almost 69 years, Bonnie Woolfolk Smith.
He is survived by two sons, Artie (Tina) & Randall (Teri); two grandchildren, Alyssa Smith Hoshell (Chris) & Jordan Smith; two great-grandchildren, Aiden Hoshell & Adley Hoshell; his brother, Buddy Smith; his sister, Vickie Smith Massey (Bob) and many nieces, nephews & their children along with many friends who are more like family.
Jimmy attended Poagville Elementary & graduated from Coldwater High School in 1955.
Then, as soon as Jimmy's high school sweetheart, Bonnie, graduated the next year they were married and they moved to California for Jimmy to serve in the US Navy at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County as a Hospital Corpsman - An enlisted medical specialist who provided healthcare to Navy & Marine Corps personnel and their families.
Upon Jimmy's discharge from the Navy several years later, they packed up and returned to Mississippi. He went to work for Ken Gilbert Auto Sales in Senatobia and then, for Southern Railway Systems in Memphis.
As time went on Jimmy joined his father and brothers in the brick laying business. When his father retired and his brothers decided upon other careers, Jimmy who had become a very skilled brick mason began working for Mike Roper Inc. Masonry in Memphis and earned his way to foreman.
There are not many hospitals, churches, shopping centers or malls in the Memphis area that Jimmy didn’t have a hand in building with a brick or two.
After retirement he enjoyed a few smaller projects like brick planters or fence columns and even used his carpentry skills to pick up where his Father-in-Law, Wesley Woolfolk, left off making porch swings and gliders to sell in his front yard.
But, he most enjoyed making special wooden toys for children to play with when they came to visit!
Jimmy loved the outdoors! So, you could often find him outside working in his garden or in later years just sitting a spell on the porch with his wife or family.
He, also, loved to go camping, hunting or fishing every chance he got. There were several friends over the years that often stood on the side of a lake with him just watching those cane poles or casting from their little john boats in hopes of catching the big one!
Those of you who knew Jimmy well, also, know he was beyond quick witted with one sense of humor that not many can match!
Although he loved being a prankster, he didn’t always welcome a prank being played on him, especially if it had to do with snakes. Not many who crossed Jimmy’s path don’t have a story or two they could share about the pranks he pulled on them!
Jimmy loved his family deeply and worked hard while his sons were growing up to be a good provider. As he grew older and, yes, wiser, he began to realize that time with family was much more important.
Jimmy learned to be quite content spending an afternoon cooking out in the backyard, sharing a meal with family at Lurline’s or Robbie’s table (as long as everyone else cleaned up) or just relaxing around a campfire at the lake when they were camping.
As time went on, those special times moved to the back or front yard on North Park Street with the kids, their grands and other special friends, too.
But, for his two grandchildren one of their best memories with Granddaddy Jimmy will always be when they were little sitting with him in their front porch swing while he sang “She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes” over and over again (by their request, he said)! And, he loved to make up new verses, too!
Without a doubt Jimmy was well-liked and because of his love for the Lord he became a very respected man.
The family attended Hickory Grove Baptist Church (now The Grove) where he taught Sunday School Classes and served as a Deacon for many, many years while living in Poagville.
Jimmy Smith will be missed by family and friends, but his legacy and the memories he leaves will be forever in the minds and hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have him in their lives.
Memorials may be given In Jimmy’s Memory to a Charity of your choice or to the NWCC Foundation to help the "Woolfolk Sister's Foundation Scholarship" become endowed by mailing check to NWCC Box 7015, Senatobia, MS 38668; Calling (662) 560-1105 or Donating online at https://www.northwestms.edu/about/foundation.
Services were held Friday, July 11, 2025 in the chapel of Pate-Jones Funeral Home. Burial followed in Bethesda Cemetery.
