Gary Dewayne Smith

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MANTACHIE – Gary Dewayne Smith, 71, passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at his home. He was born February 8, 1952, to Rex and Johnnie Lee Gann Smith. He was a 1970 graduate of Shannon High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track, and won the All-State Athletic Award. He was voted Mr. Shannon High School, Most Athletic, Most Popular, Class Favorite, and Best All Around, and served as a homecoming escort. Gary worked in the car business most all of his life as a wholesale car dealer. He was a charter member of the Thomas Street Baptist Church in Tupelo. He enjoyed all sports and was an avid conversationalist and joke teller. He will always be remembered as a good-hearted, loving person.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Dr. Eddie Wren officiating. Michael and Scotty Wren will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in the Walton Cemetery.

Survivors include one son, Marshall Dewayne Smith, of Tupelo; his mother, Johnnie Wray, of Mantachie; one sister, Judy Ferguson (Ted) of Mantachie; one brother, Jackie Smith, of Baldwyn; four nephews, Michael Wren (Lisa), Scotty Wren (Vallery), Dr. Eddie Wren (Stacy), and Chris Smith; a host of grandnieces and grandnephews; and the mother of his son and love of his life, Martha Matthews, of Tupelo.

He was preceded in death by his father and grandmothers, Carrie Lee Sheffield and Berta Smith.

Pallbearers will be Michael Wren, Scotty Wren, Chris Smith, Nicklaus Wren, Sam Wren, Eli Wren, and Noah Wren.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Roper, Gene Grass, Jim Garrison, Ernie Simmons, Larry Millican, Jeff McCaleb, and Bo McCaleb.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie.

Condolences may be shared with Gary’s family at mcneecemorrisfuneralhome.com.

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