Dr. Smith was born in Little Rock, AR in 1942 and graduated from Florence (MS) High School. He received many 4-H awards and recognitions including being selected as one of six 4-Hers to make the “Report to the Nation” trip. He and a young lady from their group were honored to be selected to make the group’s report to Vice President Lyndon Johnson. The six 4-Hers visited Washington, DC; Pittsburg, PA; New York, NY and St. Louis, MO where they were interviewed on TV and radio. He received his BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Mississippi State University. His PhD degree was in engineering from the University of Missouri with a collateral field in Meteorology. He was employed by the USDA, Agricultural Research Service for 18 years in Mississippi and Missouri. He was also employed by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station for 26 1/2 years. He published over 140 research articles including six book chapters. He was a former member of many scientific and honorary organizations including Tau Beta Pi, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Alpha Epsilon as well as being listed in twelve different national and international biographical references. He was awarded The FIEI Young Researcher Award in 1980 by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. This organization also awarded him the “Fellow” distinction, an award that is given to no more than 2% of the society’s membership. The Governor selected him to serve on the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Board. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He had taught Sunday School for 27 years, was a Deacon (also Chairman) and had served in many capacities in two churches.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Brent Smith of Starkville. They had two sons, Allan Smith (Erin) of Starkville and Nathan Smith (Ashley) of Madison. Their grandchildren are Major and Knox Smith and Braxton Rae. Other family members are brother, Mike Smith of Pearl; -in laws Ann Brent (Floyd, deceased) and Donnis & Wilbur Matthews, (deceased) and Dale (Hal) Granger of Strong Hope; brother-in-laws Kenneth (Sharon) Brent of Greenville, Cecil (Joyce) Brent of Hattiesburg and John (Gwen) Brent of Meridian.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church, Children’s Building Fund (106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759) or Baptist Children’s Village (805 Flag Chapel Rd. Jackson, MS 39209)
