James Smith

Nov. 13, 1930 – May 30, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for James “Hard Times” Smith, 86, of Natchez, who died Monday, May 30, 2016, at Merit Health Natchez, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at George F. West Sr. Memorial Chapel at West Gate Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

Visitation will be today from 4:30 to 5 p.m. with a “celebration of life” wake service at 5 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Mr. Smith was born Nov. 13, 1930, in Washington, the son of Henry Smith and Estella McGruder.

Mr. Smith was a high school graduate. He was a retired handyman, formerly employed with Mistletoe Plantation. He was Baptist.

He enjoyed watching westerns, baseball especially the Chicago White Sox, playing pool and card games.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; four sons, Larry Smith, James Smith Jr., Michael Chambers and Kevin Smith; one daughter, Eyonne Lyons; one sister, Fannie Mae Fleming; and one brother, Buster Fleming.

Survivors include his companion of 30 years, Ida Davis; four sons, Joseph Douglas and wife, Mary, Steven Smith and wife, Edwina, Andre Smith and Dan Davis and wife, Deautral; three daughters, Kathy Mitchell Smith, Shirley Lowe and husband, Michael, and Carolyn Gooseberry Hall; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to westgatefh.com.