David Smith, retired school administrator, passed away Friday, Aug. 2, at his home. Smith, 53, had been struggling with a rare form of cancer since 2010.

     He worked for 20 years at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and retired as an administrator in the Copiah County School District. He served as the Assistant Dean of Students and softball coach at Co-Lin.

     “He did a great job of coaching,” said Co-Lin Athletic Director Gwyn Young. “He dealt with students really well – made a difference to a lot of them.”

     Young said Smith tried to help anybody he could.

     “I couldn’t say enough good things about him,” said Young. “He’s going to be missed by a lot of people.”

     Smith also laid some of the groundwork for the Mississippi School of the Arts, being the second administrator hired.

     “He was an integral part in the opening of the school. Not only that, he was a fine, Christian man who was loved by everyone, and he will be sorely missed by our community,” said Bill Sones, president of the Bank of Brookhaven, who was also fundamental in the opening of the school of arts.

     Smith leaves behind his wife, Ramona Higdon Smith, son, Justin David Smith, daughter, Lauren Smith Langham, and two grandchildren.

     “A devout Christian man who loved everyone and never met a stranger,” said Ramona.

     He was a faithful member at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

     Smith is featured in the Lifestyles section of today’s paper.