1942
Larry
2015
Larry "Lc" Cooper Smith
October 5, 1942 — November 5, 2015
Larry Cooper (L.C.) Smith, of Brandon, Mississippi, passed into eternal life at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson at the age of 73 on Wednesday, November 5, 2015 at 0815.
He was born and raised primarily in Smith County, Miss., to the late Eulon and Velma Smith, and maintained close ties and deep family connections to this beloved area of his most beloved State. L.C., a man of many interests and avocations, made the Air Force/Air National Guard his career. He served his country honorably and proudly and after over thirty years of service retired as Lieutenant Colonel. He raised his family primarily in Brandon and was an active and vital part of the community, often assisting in fundraising and supporting his children’s interests in their alma mater Brandon Academy and later an ardent supporter of Ole Miss, where his children attended.
L.C. was a passionate man with many interests and talents which both preceded and followed his retirement. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, and long time member of Bay Pointe Country Club. He was a very talented musician and singer, of the band he founded, Country Plus, and was happy to sing and play at any time whatsoever, but performed in many venues and for many charitable purposes, which he loved to do. He was one-time vice president of the Mississippi Bluegrass Association and was very proud of the work he did with Mississippi Public Television on a documentary of historic music in Mississippi. He was the founder of Frogtown Music Festival in which he ardently supported the local and southern music artists he felt were so vital to our great State’s soul. Always an adventurous spirit. he was a man who travelled the world, however, he so much preferred exploring the country he loved and served so well and seeing it by motorcycle or R.V. as his most preferred means of travel. Although an Air Force man, he preferred not to fly, he wanted to be on the ground and with those he loved., maintaining deep friendships with family and friends from the past as well as establishing new, close relationships up until his untimely departure.
He is survived by his wife Linda Stokes Smith. Though married such a brief while, it was a marriage he described as “nothing short of wonderful” and their time together was filled with love and hope and happiness and Linda was very warmly welcomed into his family as one of our own. Also survived by his daughter Lisa Smith-Jenkins of Brandon, and his son Michael K. Smith, M.D. and his wife Amy Watson Smith, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. He also leaves three grandchildren, Elizabeth Cameron Smith of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and Cooper and Kyle Jenkins of Brandon. Survived also by his brother, Rev. Carey Smith of Pearl and sisters Darlene Pate of Chelsea, Alabama and Linda Thornberg of Hattiesburg. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved him well. He was predeceased by his brothers Perry and Jerry and his sister Ginny McFarland.
L.C. was laid to rest alongside his dearly loved mother and father and two brothers in Bethel Church Cemetery in Pulaski, Mississippi, with a full military service.
Pallbearers were Rob Pate, Phillip Pate, Jerry Smith, Chris McFarland, Michael K. Smith M.D. and Dwight Sisk. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Smith and David Pate.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or to the Bethel Church Cemetery Fund.
He was born and raised primarily in Smith County, Miss., to the late Eulon and Velma Smith, and maintained close ties and deep family connections to this beloved area of his most beloved State. L.C., a man of many interests and avocations, made the Air Force/Air National Guard his career. He served his country honorably and proudly and after over thirty years of service retired as Lieutenant Colonel. He raised his family primarily in Brandon and was an active and vital part of the community, often assisting in fundraising and supporting his children’s interests in their alma mater Brandon Academy and later an ardent supporter of Ole Miss, where his children attended.
L.C. was a passionate man with many interests and talents which both preceded and followed his retirement. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, and long time member of Bay Pointe Country Club. He was a very talented musician and singer, of the band he founded, Country Plus, and was happy to sing and play at any time whatsoever, but performed in many venues and for many charitable purposes, which he loved to do. He was one-time vice president of the Mississippi Bluegrass Association and was very proud of the work he did with Mississippi Public Television on a documentary of historic music in Mississippi. He was the founder of Frogtown Music Festival in which he ardently supported the local and southern music artists he felt were so vital to our great State’s soul. Always an adventurous spirit. he was a man who travelled the world, however, he so much preferred exploring the country he loved and served so well and seeing it by motorcycle or R.V. as his most preferred means of travel. Although an Air Force man, he preferred not to fly, he wanted to be on the ground and with those he loved., maintaining deep friendships with family and friends from the past as well as establishing new, close relationships up until his untimely departure.
He is survived by his wife Linda Stokes Smith. Though married such a brief while, it was a marriage he described as “nothing short of wonderful” and their time together was filled with love and hope and happiness and Linda was very warmly welcomed into his family as one of our own. Also survived by his daughter Lisa Smith-Jenkins of Brandon, and his son Michael K. Smith, M.D. and his wife Amy Watson Smith, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. He also leaves three grandchildren, Elizabeth Cameron Smith of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and Cooper and Kyle Jenkins of Brandon. Survived also by his brother, Rev. Carey Smith of Pearl and sisters Darlene Pate of Chelsea, Alabama and Linda Thornberg of Hattiesburg. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved him well. He was predeceased by his brothers Perry and Jerry and his sister Ginny McFarland.
L.C. was laid to rest alongside his dearly loved mother and father and two brothers in Bethel Church Cemetery in Pulaski, Mississippi, with a full military service.
Pallbearers were Rob Pate, Phillip Pate, Jerry Smith, Chris McFarland, Michael K. Smith M.D. and Dwight Sisk. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Smith and David Pate.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or to the Bethel Church Cemetery Fund.
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