Lemuel Lee “Red” Smith

Listen to this obituary

Mr. Lemuel Lee “Red” Smith, 90, died Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North MS. The funeral service will be Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Fish Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Sand Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, January 8, 2024, from 4:30 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Red was born on September 3, 1933 in Troy, MS to the late Vance and Maudie Brandon. During the Korean War, Red bravely served his country while stationed in Germany with the United State Army. Following his military career, he worked as a lineman and retired from Northeast Power. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and together with his wife, welcomed countless children into their lives through their in-home daycare. Affectionately known as “MeMe and Papaw” at Burney Branch Daycare, children were nurtured and loved in a safe and loving environment. Red’s faith was an important part of his daily life. As a longtime member of North Oxford Baptist Church, he lived as an example of God’s love by serving as a deacon and faithfully attending church with his family. He very much enjoyed cooking for his family and hosted regular Monday steak nights and Sunday lunches. No matter the meal they shared, simply having his family together and spending time with each of them brought him the most joy in life. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his birth mother, Brendie McGlofin; his son, Rusty Smith and several siblings.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Duncan Smith of Oxford; a daughter, Judy Smith Mills and her husband, Jimmy of Oxford; a son, Don Smith and his wife, Penny of Oxford; a step-sister, Carolyn McGlofin of Florida; six grandchildren, Joy Rowsey, Jacob Mills, Ryan Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Caroline Smith and Thad Smith as well as five precious great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Smith’s memory may be made to North Oxford Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655 or online at https://northoxford.churchcenter.com/giving.