Rev. Henry Lee Smith, age 90, died Tuesday evening, July 7, 2015, at the Simpson County Hospital in Mendenhall. Services for Rev. Smith were held on Monday, July 13, at Mt. Olive MB Church in Oma, with Pastor Christopher Jones and Rev. Fitgerald May officiating. Interment was in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Smith was the son of the late Elgin S. Smith and the late Luerady A. Smith of Silver Creek. At an early age he moved to Detroit, MI, where he worked for General Motors from 1946 to 1977, retiring in 1977 and moving back to Lawrence County.

Rev. Smith was called into the ministry after moving to the Oma area of Lawrence County, and the Lord called him to Pastor St. James MB Church in Monticello, Hopewell MB Church in Brookhaven and Mt. Zion MB Church in Sontag for a combined total of 28 years as a pastor. In addition to his pastoral ministry, Rev. Smith had a Bible telephone ministry, a radio ministry, (A Voice Crying in the Wilderness), and a Nursing Home Ministry.

After retiring from his pastoral duties, Rev. Smith joined the Fair Hill MB Church and remained a member until his death.

Rev. Smith’s survivors include his wife, Ruby L. Smith of Hazelhurst; one son, Denver L. (Gladys) Smith of Detroit, MI; one grandson, Denver D. (Shanese) Smith of Bloomington, IL; one granddaughter, Shamia A. Smith of Bellevile, MI; three great-grandsons; and a number of other relatives and friends.