Jackson Prentiss "Jackie" Smith, Jr.

Jackson P. “Jackie” Smith, Jr, age 80, passed away on December 8, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kathy Varnado Smith; his son, Jackson Smith, III; and his parents: Jackson P. Smith & Ivy Cullinane Smith. 

Mr. Smith is survived by a daughter, Julie Smith Ritten and her husband, Jon Ritten; two granddaughters, Kendall Ritten Jensen (Austin) of Dallas Texas, and Laura Grace Ritten of Manhattan, New York; and great-granddaughter Jensen arriving early January 2025; and other relatives and numerous friends. 

He was a native and lifelong resident of Gulfport and was a graduate of Gulfport High School, Perkinston Junior College where he played on the baseball team, and he received his bachelor's and master’s degrees in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He began his coaching career at Bayou View Junior High School and was a teacher and coach at Fernwood Junior High School, Gulfport High School and ended his teaching & coaching career as the assistant coach in 1970-1971 for the Gulfport High School football and basketball State Champions.

From 1971 – 2000, Jackie worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs Biloxi/Gulfport Veteran Administration Medical Center as the director of Voluntary & Recreation Services, Public Affairs Officer and retired as the Chief of Voluntary services. He later worked for the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in community relations and then he served as a Special Assistant to the Mississippi Public Service Commission. In 2005, Jackie was elected Councilman of Ward 4 for the City of Gulfport where he helped rebuild Gulfport alongside Mayor Brent Warr.

He was named Boss of the Year in 1986 by the Coast Chapter of American Business Women, in 1991 he was given the National Leadership of Voluntary Services Chiefs Award by the American Legion. He was a devoted member of St. James Catholic Church and a former President of the St. James PTO, former Vice President of St. James Parish Council, and former President of the St. James School Board. He was also a member of the MS Football and Basketball Officials Association. Jackie enjoyed coaching baseball and volunteered for several years for Bayou View Dixie Youth baseball Association.

Jackie was best known for his love of sports: baseball, football, basketball - all types of sports. His television only knew of one channel - ESPN!

Some of his favorite sporting moments included watching his granddaughters cheer at the St. Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws, attending the College World Series with his beloved wife, Kathy, and attending a NY Yankees game at Yankee Stadium, with his family, where he watched a Triple Header. He loved working in his yard and took great pride of his yard especially when he won “Yard of the Month.” 

Jackie never met a stranger! He always made everyone he talked to feel very special. He had a big personality & was a kid at heart, to know him was to love him. He was genuine, caring, and had heart of gold. 

Every time you saw Jackie, you were enthusiastically greeted with “Hey Big Boy”, “Hey Baby”, “Hey Partner”, Son, or Baby! 

Jackie Smith was definitely One of a Kind!!!

Visitation will be on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 10 am - 12 pm at St. James Catholic Church, 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 pm in the church. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Vincent de Paul c/o St. James, 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport, MS 39507 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.