The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1922-01-20
AN HONORED CITIZEN PASSES
AWAY IN GRENADA
w. E. Smith Died Tuesday, January
18th After a Brief Illness,
kge Eighty-Five.

w. T.. Smith Died Tuesday, january
18th After a Brief Illness,
k.ge Eighty-Five.
Mr.. William Edmondson Sroith died
at his residence in Grenad.. Tuesday
morning at 6:15 o'clock, January II,
after brief illness, though his
health had been precaroius for sever
al years. His life went out as can
die that had burned down. TIE fun
eral services were held Wednesday
morning at 10 o'clock at the Presby-
terlan church where his pastor, Rev.
). X. Cunningham, paid fitting tri-.
butte to his life and character. His
remains were laid to rest in Odd Eel
lows cemetery to await the resur-
rection morn, whenever that shall be.
Mr.. Smith was born in Athens.
Ala, November %, 1887. His par
ents moved to Pontatoc County. this
State IN December of the same wear.
He grew to manhood there. He first
came to Grenada in 1855. Shortly
after arriving here, he entered the
employ of ]. M. Bishop, matchmaker
and Jeweler, with whom he remained
until few years later when he op-
ened similar business of his own.
de was in business under the name
OF w. E. Smith for 81 years, which
is record equaled by few merchants
in Mississippi; indeed it is a record
that but few in the business world
anywhere have ever made. He was
faithful member of the Presbyter-
ian church for more that a half cen.
tury, and a deacon and elder IN the
church for over thirty years. He had
been a Jealous member of the Ma
sonic fraternity for fifty-five years:
ne held his membership in Grenada
Lodge No. 81. He was a Shriner. one
OF the oldest if not the oldest in the
state, holding his membership in Ha-
masa Temple.
When the war spirit swept over the
country in 1860, he went forth to
nold the banner of the Southland and
to defend what he believed were the
rights OF the Southern states. He
entered the service as a member of
tne 10th Mississippi infantry and was
later transferred to Stanford's bat
terv. and still later from that orpani-
zation to Henierson's scouts. He
fell into the hands of the federals dur
ing the siege of Vickshrr~ and was
" as prl. 1er m ,>.g,, Douglas.
He r1acs fs.ss rs- Moore k;x
"!e III DS TO {.
union were =
son and three
survive him. lhes
H. Smith, one ot !.
of the delta and c.
prominent dentists /.
Mrs. w. ]. Jenring e
rard and Miss W.. Besides
his devoted VIE ana .cnlldren. he
seaves s1G grandchildren and nine
great-grandchildren, and a sister, Miss
Mary Smith, of Pontatoc. His fanni-
ly has been wonderfully blessed with
health; he never lost child, or any
of his grand children.
Mr.. Smith was public spirited. He
possessed a kind Obliging and gener-
Gus nature. He carried good cheer
and comfort wherever he went. He
was tolerant, patient and considerate
of his fellowman. He never denied
a request for charity nor did he ever
send those asking for aims away
empty. He lived at peace and charity
with his neighbors. He took a de-
light in acting the part of the good
Samaritan. He was a loving and de-
voted husband. Not only was he a
guide and tender father to his chill
dren, but he was a companion to
them and made them know that he
shared their sorrows and disappoint-
ments and joyed with them in their
triumphs. "Uncle Billy, as he was
called in the latter years of his life,
planted many things in and about
Grenada that will endure so long as
time shall last. Nothing good is lost.
He believed in his town. He had
faith in his fellowman and he en-
deavored to show forth the goodness
of God in his life and to use the
golden days and years allotted to him
to reflect that glory which can come
only out of that Eternal City where
every normal mind, which does not
close itself to common sense truths
reflected in Nature and that influence
which makes conscience worth WHILE,
is endeavoring to reach. He sowed
good seeds. He never assumed
Pharisaic air at any time, because
it was foreign to his nature to de-
ceive and further, he had that clear
vision that made him know that no
one can fool God.
Now that Mr. Smith has fought the
good fight and finished his earthly
may his loved ones and
friends profit by the example he set
and the life he lived, so that "when
the roll is called up yonder" that all
these may be able to answer, "pres-
ent'.
To the sorrowing wife, Children and
,ther relatives, The Sentinel tenders
he sincerest sympathy.