Funeral Services for John Harvey Smith of Natchez are 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The Rev. Edward Bolin will officiate. Laird Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, from 10 a.m. until time of service at Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith, 86, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at Natchez Community Hospital. He was born on Oct. 13, 1927, in Bogue Chitto to Harvey Smith and Vergie Hart Smith.

Mr. Smith was a beloved husband to his wife, Peggy, for 65 wonderful years. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to all who knew him.

He grew up on a farm in Bogue Chitto. In 1956, he moved his family to Natchez and opened his roofing, sheet metal, air conditioning business and Smith Sheet Metal Works.

He served his country in the United States Navy. One of his greatest memories was getting through the Panama Canal while serving on the U.S.S. Wisconsin.

Nothing brought more joy to his life than to spend time with his precious family at the lake house on Lake St. John, going to every sporting event that his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have participated in, and especially playing the card game “Boo-Ray” with his wife, children and grandchildren.

He took the greatest pride in any work that needed to be done over the years. This included his business, his home, his garden and his yard work. He never came across anything that he couldn’t accomplish or fix.

He will be greatly missed and thought of often for his unconditional love and kindness, especially by his sweet wife and family.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Bob Smith and Jere Smith; and two sisters, Phillis Hale and Vergie Mae Smith.

Survivors are his wife, Peggy Smith; two sons, Steve Smith and wife, Kathy, Pat Smith and wife, Cindy; three daughters, Jeannie Rushing and husband, Clovis, Gail Stallone and husband, Adrian, and Julia Burns and husband, Max; 11 grandchildren, Byron Garrity and wife, April, Brandon Garrity and wife, Brandi, Justin Garrity and wife, Lauren, Adrian Stallone and wife, Jaimie, Amy Peters and husband, Ryan, Jody Stallone and wife, Caitlin, Lauren Burns, Allyson Elliott and husband, Adam, Stevie Smith and wife, Jeanne, Travis Smith and wife, Laura, and Patrick Smith; 13 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Inez Gardner.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Byron Garmy, Adrian Stallone, Brandon Garrity, Justin Garrity, Jody Stallone, Stevie Smith, Travis Smith and Patrick Smith.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.