Services for Billy B. Smith, of Wesson, are 11 a.m. Friday,March 27, at New Hope United Methodist Church in the Loyd Starcommunity with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation is Thursday from 5 until 8 p.m. at Riverwood FamilyFuneral Service and Friday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. prior toservice.

Mr. Smith, 61, died March 24, 2009, at Hospice Ministries inRidgeland. He was born on May 16, 1947, to Edgar W. Smith andBessie Calcote Smith.

Although born blind, Mr. Smith always had great interest inpeople. No matter where he traveled, he would meet friends andinquire about their lives. When younger, he hitchhiked every day toBrookhaven. He found something of interest from each person thatgave him a lift every time he went to Brookhaven. His desire tolearn kept him listening to books and current news on varioustopics. He was so interested in technology that he would take itemsapart to feel how they were assembled. Mr. Smith was deeplyreligious. He had a sound faith in God. He loved singing in thechurch choir. He had a strong compassion for people and wanted tohelp them because he had been helped so much by others. He livedalone but was visited often by friends and relatives. He retiredfrom the Mississippi industry for the blind. He was a member of NewHope United Methodist Church. A light has gone out of our lives. Wewill miss him terribly but know that God has welcomed him with openarms.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Edgar W. Smith andBessie Calcote Smith.

Survivors are a sister, Juanita Smith Walker, of Clinton; abrother-in-law, Donald K. Walker, of Monticello; a niece, ChristyEckert and husband, Heath, and their daughter, Emily MadelineEckert, all of Daphne, Ala.; and numerous relatives andfriends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope UnitedMethodist Church, 2216 Hwy. 550 N.W., Wesson, MS, 39191. Funds willbe used by the children to purchase food for the Mt. Zion foodpantry. Also memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries of CentralMississippi, 397 Brookhaven St., Brookhaven, MS, 39601.

Visit our Web site, riverwoodfamily.com, and click on his nameunder the obituaries to express your thoughts to the family.