Feb. 14, 1943 -April 14, 2014

UNION — Services for Dr. Eddie M. Smith, 71, of Decatur, who died Monday, April 14, 2014, at his residence following a lengthy illness, will be at 11 a.m. today at Clarke Venable Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Vincent officiating.

Burial will follow in Decatur City Cemetery under the direction of Milling Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Dr. Smith was president of East Central Community College, where he led the institution from 1985 to 2000 and served his alma mater as its sixth president.

During his tenure, the college experienced unprecedented growth in numerous areas, especially in enrollement, program offerings, campus facilities and workforce education.

An increased emphasis was placed on recruiting students of all ages. As a result of a closely followed recruitment and retention plan, enrollment increased each of his 15 years at the helm.

Upon his retirement in 2000, the college’s Board of Trustees named the newly constructed student union in his honor, in recognition of his dedication to serving students of all ages.

Dr. Smith was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Smith and Vernon Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Charlotte Smith; two daughters, Kelli Smith of Magee and Wendy Smith of Union; and one sister, Claire Woodward of Louisville.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Comans, Ovid Vickers, Elwin Flowers, L.B. Bullock, Henry B. “Bubba” Hudspeth, Ben Harper, Mickey Vance, James Yelverton, Doug Woodward, Scott Woodward and Jimmy Smith.

Memorials may be made to Clarke Venable Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 308, Decatur, MS. 39327.