James Marshall Smith

Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm, Friday, June 9, 2023, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Funeral services are 10:00am, Saturday, June 10, 2023, in the funeral home chapel with interment to follow in Lakewood South Cemetery.

Born to a large family in Lincoln County, Mississippi, in the midst of the Great Depression, important values were instilled in Marshall from an early age. Faithful parents taught him the worth of family and their love. Through the dignity of labor he learned “an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay”. And his service with the U.S. Army strengthened his loyalty to his country and community. Marshall’s life was centered around service to others, and in whatever capacity he served another, he did so with the joy of a servant’s heart.

Marshall was proud of his military service. He held high regard for our nation’s flag and took pride in his letters of commendation and rapid ascension to the rank of Sergeant. He often spoke fondly of his Army buddies and the many memories they shared.

He was employed for more than 35 years with Puckett Machinery, dutifully standing as a “company man” from their origin as Gilchrist Tractor through their transitions as Stribling Brothers, Stribling-Puckett to Puckett. As a collections manager he was respected by his supervisors and colleagues for his conscientiousness and was well liked by customers.

He was a long time member of Park Place Baptist Church in Pearl where he enjoyed his Sunday school class, fellow classmates and teacher. With a garage apartment at his home Marshall frequently assisted church members and friends who needed lodging. Overnight or for an extended period, Marshall was happy to help them.

In his free time Marshall liked to work in his yard, tending his lawn and raising his legendary “bumper” crops of tomatoes. He was always up for going out to eat, and took pleasure in trips to his old home place in Lincoln County. His favorite times were spent with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether pulling them up and down the road in the goat wagon, bowling a few games, or taking them cruising in his ’64 Chevrolet Corvair, he AND they were perfectly content just being together.

Marshall’s life and legacy may best be remembered as one of commitment, pride, and most importantly, love. And as Marshall would say, “Yeah, Boy!”

Marshall was preceded in death by his first wife, Vernell Smith; parents, Clower and Verna Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Smith (Jeff); sister, Maude Elsie Sisco; and brother and sister-in-law, Sidney Smith (Ruth).

Survivors include his wife, Elaine Smith; children, Alisa Clarke (Robby), Deron Smith (Susan), Carlton Parker (Melanie), Carol Purzycki (Ed), and Lisa Smith (David); siblings, Hazel Anderson, Virginia Sisco (Willie), brother-in-law and long-time friend, Hollis Sisco; grandchildren, Craig, Crystal, Trey, Steven, Mia, Alex, Drew, Erin, Christian, Chase, Darby, and Zach; and great-grandchildren, Hayes, Clayton, Creed, Bradley, Birdie, Kiptyn, and Knox; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Pearl Gideons, P.O. Box 5973, Pearl, MS 39288.