February 11, 1940-April 6, 2025
Avery "Bud” Smith passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the Martha Jo Leslie State Veterans Home in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 pm on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church. Burial followed in Newton County Memorial Gardens under the direction of Newton County Funeral Home.
Visitation was at 1:00 pm on Thursday at the church and continued until service time.
Bud was born Sunday, February 11, 1940 to Albert and Biddie Jane (Allgood) Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George A. (Lois Turner) Smith; his in-laws, Felix S. Moss and Gladys (Sargent) Moss White; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Moss.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Felicia (Moss) Smith; three sons, Derick C. (Leslie) Smith of Auburn, Georgia, Kyle (Misti) Smith of Mandeville, Louisiana, and Jeremy Smith of Decatur, Mississippi; five grandchildren, Samuel (Meagan) Smith of Belgrade, Montana, Kailyn (Trace) Clopton of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Parker Smith of Kennesaw, Georgia, Gabriel Smith of Mandeville, Louisiana and Ella Grayce Smith of Auburn, Georgia; one great-grandchild, Ezra Matthew Smith of Belgrade, Montana; one brother, Milton Smith (Dianne) of Decatur, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Coreen(Moss) VanDevender of Union, Mississippi, and her husband, Bob; one brother-in-law, Joe and Judy (Whitten) Moss of Clinton, Mississippi and a number of nieces and nephews.
Bud attended Decatur High School and graduated from Union High School in 1958. He attended Mississippi State University and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was the district engineer with MDOT in Newton, Mississippi. After retiring, he went to work with Joe Waggoner Engineering Firm in Jackson and later worked with Joe McGee Construction Firm in Lake, Mississippi.
He served 34 years in the 1181st Army Reserve Unit and retired as Lt. Colonel.
Bud was an active member of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church where he served as deacon, chairman of deacons, and served on numerous committees. He was the assistant Sunday School teacher for his men's class.
As a member of the Decatur Jaycees, Bud was involved in many community activities. He loved sports and playing golf in his leisure time. He enjoyed playing in Golf Tournaments that MDOT sponsored as well as golfing in Destin, Florida. Bud loved traveling on work related trips and overseas travels after full retirement.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may be made to Clarke-Venable Baptist Church, P.O. Box 308, Decatur, Mississippi 39327, or Gideons International, Inc., P.O. Box 297, Newton, Mississippi 39345 or But God Ministries, 118 Homestead Drive, Suite D, Madison, Mississippi 39110.
Serving as pallbearers were Bob Smith, Richard Stamper, Ben Harper, Stuart Smith, Graham Clarke, and Edsel Cliburn.
Honorary pallbearers were Samuel Smith, Parker Smith, Gabriel Smith, Bryan Burt, and Jody Kyzar.
Rev. Mark Vincent officiated the service.
Musicians for the service were Mrs. Charlotte Smith and Bro. Billy Williams.
An online guestbook may be signed and viewed at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com
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