Rayford Lyonell Smith

Rayford L. Smith, 91, passed away late Tuesday night, January 8, 2019, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. Rayford was the husband of Annie Lois Smith of Batesville.

Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Batesville First Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 12 noon. Interment will follow the service at Forrest Memorial Park. Dr. Tommy Snyder and Rev. John Howell, Jr. will officiate.

Rayford was born May 26, 1927, in Lambert, Mississippi, to the late Andrew Marvin Smith and Vallie Georgia Clark Smith. He graduated from Lambert High School. Rayford married Annie Lois Moreland in March of 1956. He kept busy working and raising a family. Rayford farmed cotton near Sledge and was a rural mail carrier for 43 years. He also worked as a crop insurance adjuster and an agent for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). Rayford was active in his church and community. He was a devoted member of Batesville First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of Batesville Rotary Club, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.

The loving family he leaves behind to cherish his precious memory includes his wife of 62 years, Annie Lois Moreland Smith of Batesville; children, Don Smith (Janita) of Cleveland, Tim Smith (Vivian) of Southaven, Anita Smith Edlin of Batesville, Keith Smith of Southaven, and Paul Smith (Suzanne) of Brandon; 13 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Rayford is preceded in death by his sisters, Artie Lodear Smith (who died as an infant), Lola Clytie Smith Bennett, Ruby Ilene Smith Linskey, Grace Truman Smith Crocker; and his brother, Raymond Henry Smith.