Melvin Smith, Sr.

Melvin Smith, Sr., age 86, went home to be with his Lord on January 11, 2022.

Melvin was born on July 25, 1935 to Edgar Greene and Anna Dunnigan Smith of Lucien, MS.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

After high school, Melvin began is decades-long employment with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Mississippi and Louisiana.  He was instrumental in the formation of Smith Tire & Auto Service, Inc. in Long Beach, MS in 1981.

Melvin loved his Baptist Faith and was a die-hard member of the First Baptist Church Long Beach, MS.  He served as a former Deacon and former Chairman of the Deacons.  Melvin was instrumental with First Baptist Church rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina and was able to secure the spire from the destroyed Church and have it permanently mounted on the new Church grounds.

Melvin is survived by Elva Calcote Smith, his loving wife of 69 years; his sons, Mel (Jo Ann) Smith and Mark (Julienne) Smith; grandsons, Tyler (Tara) Smith and Brandon (Lauren) Smith; and three great-grandchildren, Sam, Eloise and Francis Elva.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Long Beach, 300 N. Cleveland Avenue, Long Beach, MS 39560.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 15, 2022, from 12 pm – 2 PM at the First Baptist Church of Long Beach.  The funeral service will be at 2 PM in the church.  Interment will be in Gulf Pines Memorial Gardens.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com