Graveside Services for Mr. Bradford Smith, age 97 of Delta, will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at Center West Baptist Church Cemetery with Jimmy Parker and Donald Ray Buckhannan speaking.
Mr. Smith passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at his home. He was born in Calhoun County but grew up in Delta until the age of 17, when he entered into the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served during WW II with the Pacific Theatre, traveling through Hawaii, Guam, and the Solomon Islands. Once he came back to the States in 1946, he was stationed in Marietta, GA until 1951 when he entered the U.S. Air Force to serve during the Korea War for one year. He moved homes following his military service and worked for the South Central Bell Company. During his time, he spent 18 months in Nigeria installing power lines. He worked for the company as a lineman for 34 years until he retired in 1982. Mr. Smith enjoyed gardening, farming, and fishing in his spare time, was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 75 years, Mary Alice Buckhannan Smith of Delta; his children: James Alan Smith (Phyllis), David Randall Smith (Doris) both of Delta, Mark Smith (Shelia) of Cragford, Daniel Smith (Dawn), and Kimberly Bolt (Bobby) both of Delta; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Edward Smith of Barfield, plus a large extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Cleve and Evie Woodard Smith; his granddaughter, Lauren Bolt; his grandson, Matthew Smith; two sisters: Lorene Daugherty and Eulene Buchanan; and six brothers: Shackford, Lenward, Winford “Dutch”, Clifton, Sanford, and Jimmy Smith.
Josh Smith, Jeff Thompson, Ryan Smith, Austin Smith, Haley Smith, and Blake Bolt will serve as pallbearers.
His visitation will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville from 12:30 P.M. until 1:30 P.M.
