Billy D. Smith

Services for Billy D. Smith will be held Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at 3 p. m. from McClain-Hays Chapel with Rev. Toby Stovall and Rev. David Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Neshoba County. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 22, 2018, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., all day Monday, July 23, 2018, 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Tuesday 8 a. m. until service time at McClain-Hays Funeral Home. Mr. Smith, 61, of Philadelphia, died Saturday, July 21, 2018.A native and lifelong resident of Neshoba County, he was owner/operator of Billy’s Auto Body in Philadelphia for 30-plus years until February of 2018.  Mr. Smith was a member of New Blackjack Baptist Church in Neshoba County.  Survivors include daughter, Hope Nicole Houston (John) of Philadelphia; son, Chris Smith (Josie) of Philadelphia; stepdaughters, Shaniya Finley of Philadelphia, Cicia Harris of Philadelphia, Mi-Yonna Moore of Philadelphia, Khloie M. Jones of Philadelphia; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Ann McCrory (Henry) of Madison, Carol Hollingsworth (Willie Fox) of Philadelphia, Betty Stanford of Conehatta, Terri Cumberland (Mickey) of Philadelphia, Mechale Breazeale (Jamie) of Brandon; brother, William Smith (Carolyn) of Philadelphia; and a host of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by wife, Tironza Jones Smith; great-grandchild, Braydon Scott Traxler; and brother, Robert Smith. “I am your Father.  I am your Grandfather. I am your Uncle.  I am your Brother-In-Law. I am your Friend……….This will never end.  I may be leaving, but my love for you all will remain.  I have a new home; a home that I want you all to know.  So please don’t mourn me, but draw closer to God as you prepare to let me go.  This would be my one last wish for the ones that I love and that love me.  This is how I want you all to honor me; take your families to church and find Christ through me.  Though you all wanted to keep me here, God wanted me more; but I need you all to not be angry, or to question God as to why.  I need you all to carry on, remember me, tell my stories, say my name often, and keep those memories close by until  we are together once again.  Please come closer to God in my memory”.Billy D. Smith