Kenneth Earl Smith

Kenneth “Kenny” Smith or to some known as “Stump” was a son, a brother, and a world class girl dad. Kenny passed away September 16 2024 in Jackson MS at St Dominic’s Hospital. 

Kenny came into the world in Laurel MS Oct 27 1959 kicking and screaming, he was the first born to P.H Smith Jr and Bobbie Ruth Smith. He wasn’t just their first born but he was also the pride and joy of his Aunt Betty, to her he was and will always be in her eyes her first baby. Spoiled rotten as a child would be an understatement for sure, and that would continue on thru his life with all the people around him that got the chance to know and love him and even continue to spoil him. 

Kenny was the brother of Jimmy Charles Smith and Bobbie Sue Smith. I am sure he hated to share the spotlight but he absolutely loved the memories he got to make through the years with them. From hauling pulp wood with his dad and brother through the years to sharing music interest and concert memories with his sister there is no shortage of stories and times that could never be forgotten for any of them. 

In 1978 Kenny went to work at Vicker’s what is now Eaton Aerospace, and there he would become known to so many as Stump. Kenny was a machinist who took pride in what he did and that made him quite the perfectionist when it came to working on anything. Vickers gave him some wonderful years and amazing friends, ones that truly became family. 

Later in life he would become a dad, and spend many of those years stuck watching Beauty and the Beast on repeat for days on end. Giving nightly shoulder and piggy back rides to bed and never failing to give the best goodnight hugs and kisses. He was always there to tuck his daughter in and there to wake her up in the morning. 

Kenny truly loved his music. From playing the drums as well as the guitar, when he put his mind to something he ran with it. He played his heart out at many shows with his friends and his sister Susie to always be there to manage the fan club for the band. From a self taught drummer to his biggest, proudest music accomplishment of being the opening act for the Platters at Jackson Auditorium. His love of music also drove some crazy, from the neighbors having to hear his every friday night jam session until the middle of the night and him collecting an insane amount of Perry Como records that he got stuck with from ordering too many records on Ebay. He was a 1 man band at his computer, playing the best air guitar, air drums, and singing his heart out. Those are the memories that so many of us will always have.

There are millions of stories his family and friends could tell, but the one story that would matter most to him would be the one of becoming a grandpa to his favorite little buddy Xander. 

Kenny spent hours riding his grandson around on the tractor and teaching him hours of life lessons that every little boy should know. Nothing made him happier. He never missed a chance to sneak over and get him from school or spend every weekend he could with him. 

Kenny is preceded in death by his beloved father, P H Smith, Jr., beloved brother Jimmy Smith and precious mother Bobbie Ruth Smith. 

Kenny is survived by his daughter Nicki Gutter (Grant), sister Susie Robinson (Bobby), grandson Xander Gutter and several dear family members and friends. 

Serving as pallbearers are JT Smith (nephew), Charlie Smith (nephew), Payton Smith (great nephew), Xander Gutter (grandson), Wendell Shedd (cousin aka “kid brother”), Michael Shedd (cousin), Justin Miller (best friend), and honorary pallbearer Colton Smith (great nephew).

Officiating is family friend, Pastor Ronnie Purser.