Irene Smith

Irene K. Smith, age 91, went to be with the Lord on January 6, 2020, surrounded by her family at Hospice Ministries, Ridgeland, Mississippi. Visitation will be at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Morton, MS from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, and at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 19. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 19, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in the Springfield Baptist Church cemetery.

She is survived by one sister, Blendina K. Phillips of Banks, AL; two sisters-in-law, June Smith of Laurel, MS; and Ava Ann Arinder of Wichita Falls, TX. Additionally, Mrs. Smith is survived by her children, Carolyn (Danny) Wade of Morton, MS; Leonard (Martha) Smith of Columbus, MS; and Estelle (Don) Watts of Pearl, MS; her daughter-in-law, Linda Smith Sutton of Northport, AL; her grandchildren, Jessalynn (Michael) King of Northport, AL; Steven (Rebekah) Wade of Hickory, MS; Emily (Jay) Murphy of Brandon, MS; Josie (Scott) Guerry of Starkville, MS; Missie Smith of Royal Oak, MI; Amy Watts of Pearl, MS; and Eric Watts of Oxford, MS; and her 13 great-grandchildren, Piper and Sara Jo King; Grace, Presleigh, and Amory Wade; John Riley, Abigail, Daniel, and Laura Katherine Murphy; Anna Lakin and Joe Guerry; Elijah Francis of Pearl; and Henry Watts of Oxford.

Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband Joe C. Smith of Morton, her son, Joe William Smith of Northport, AL; her grandson, Jeffrey Louis Wade of Morton; and her brother, J. S. Koonce of Huntsville, AL.

She retired from Prudential Insurance Company. After their retirement, Joe and Irene served as missions volunteers in numerous locations including Glorietta Baptist Assembly in New Mexico, Central Hills Baptist Retreat in Kosciusko, MS, and Montana. Mrs. Smith was a long time member of Springfield Baptist Church and particularly enjoyed her regular involvement with senior citizen activities. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends at NARFE of Forest.

Services will be officiated by Rev. Don Wilson and Rev. Jerry Lewis. Pallbearers will be Steven Wade, Eric Watts, Michael King, Jay Murphy, Scott Guerry, Michael Betts, and Jeremy Watts. Honorary pallbearers are Dan West, Carl Woolery, Michael Winstead, Danny Rushing, and Daniel Napp.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Springfield Baptist Church, 3285 Springfield Road, Morton, MS 39117, or Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Boulevard, Ridgeland, MS  39157.