Sonny Smith

Horace “Sonny” E. Smith, Jr., passed away on October 1, 2025, at Brookedale Assisted Living in Columbia, Tennessee. He was born on May 15, 1946, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, to the late Horace E. Smith, Sr. and Mildred McCardle Turnbo.

Sonny graduated from Copiah Lincoln High School where he played Basketball, Football and was on the Track Team. He was voted Mr. Copiah Lincoln High School his senior year and was class officer his Sophomore and Junior years. He attended Co-Lin Junior College where he played basketball.Then he attended University of Mississippi.

Sonny was known for his incredible work ethic. He began working in the pipeline industry at the young age of 18. He became an Industrial Radiographer and remained dedicated to that line of work for most of his life. For a time, he also owned and operated a woodyard so he could stay closer to his wife and children, a testament to the deep love he had for his family. For many years he owned or worked for a Limosine Service, which lead to some pretty interesting stories traveling across Tennessee. He always wanted to provide for others.

Outside of work, Sonny found joy on the water. He loved fishing and boating, and when his children were young, the family spent nearly every weekend out on their skiboat, creating cherished memories together. During the evenings, he could often be found engrossed in Westerns or World War II documentaries. Weekends he enjoyed watching football especially if Ole Miss was playing. If he was outside you were likely to see him wearing his baseball cap and Rayban's. In his later years he enjoyed tomato sandwiches and biscuits with sausage gravy.

He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Karen Jo Smith; his children, Samantha (Lee) Brooks of Fayetteville Arkansas, Lance (Monica) Smith of Midlothian Texas, Brett (Kerry) Smith of Norcross Georgia, Brandi (Tyler) Hirsch of Brentwood TN, and Benjamin Jay (Mackenzie) Smith of Spring Hill TN; grandchildren, Lauren (Craig) Lawrence, Zane Brooks, US Airman Mason Smith, Gaven Smith, Tristan Hirsch, Hailey Hirsch, Quade Smith, Hannah (Kevin) Valencia, and Nick Smith; great-grandchildren, Roan Lawrence, Giovanni Valencia, and Alessio Valencia; siblings, Elaine Hollier, Steve (Donna) Smith, William (Wilma) Turnbo, and Lynn Turnbo Holliday; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace E. Smith, Sr. and Mildred McCardle Turnbo, and his brother, Jimmy E. Smith all from Wesson MS.

A celebration of Sonny’s life will be held for family and friends at Williams Furneral Home on November 8, 2025 with visitation between 2pm-4pm.

A final celebration of Sonny’s life will be held in MS on March 21, 2026 at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Wesson, MS.

The Smith family would like to thank Life Care Rehabilitation Center for the care and love given to Sonny in his final weeks and the caring staff at Brookdale Assisted Living who became like family to him.