Jewel Smith

October 15, 1932 – September 16, 2026

“I’m not a very perfect person… But I have a very perfect heart.”

— Jewel Smith

Jewel Smith, 93, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 16, 2026.

Born on October 15, 1932, Jewel lived a long and remarkable life spanning more than nine decades. He was a proud Marine and Korean War Veteran who worked hard throughout his life in many different trades, including welding and factory work. He also spent many years working alongside his beloved wife, Rose Marilyn Smith, at Movie Star in Poplarville.

Jewel and Rose shared 60 years of marriage. To Marilyn, he was a good husband—easygoing, kind, loving, and a man who never seemed to have a mean bone in his body. He always wanted to make everyone around him laugh. He never met a stranger and found joy in life’s simple pleasures, whether watching the news, enjoying an old western—especially a John Wayne movie—or spending time with the people he loved. He loved food almost as much as he loved people. His wife said that he never turned down a meal in their 60 years of marriage, he never complained, and was easy to please. 

Jewel was born in 1932, into a world that would be almost unrecognizable by the time he left it. He grew up when an icebox kept the food cold and families gathered around the radio to hear what was happening in the world. He watched the first televisions enter people’s homes, then watched those same televisions change from black and white to color. He saw roads and automobiles change the way people traveled, airplanes make the world feel smaller, and eventually watched cars begin to drive on electricity.

He went from a childhood of handwritten letters and waiting for the news to a world where a person could pick up a phone and instantly see, hear, and speak to someone on the other side of the country. He watched Elvis Presley become a star, witnessed generations of music and culture come and go, and saw inventions arrive that no one could have imagined when he was a boy.

He lived through the Great Depression, served his country during the Korean War, built a life, raised a family, loved his wife for 60 years, and lived long enough to see his grandchildren become parents themselves. Ninety-three years gave Jewel a front-row seat to a changing world—but through all those years, the things that mattered most to him never really changed: his family, his friends, a good meal, a good laugh, and the people he loved

Jewel was preceded in death by his parents:

Tommie Smith Sr. and Olgie Smith.

Jewel is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years:

Rose Marilyn Smith.

Jewel is survived by his sons:

Tommy Smith Sr., and his wife, Tasha Smith. Kenneth Smith, and Marvin Ray Smith.

Jewel is survived by his Brothers:

Lavon Smith, and his wife, Cindy Smith. Tommy Smith Jr., and his wife, Carolyn L. Smith.

Jewel was a proud grandfather to:

Tommy W. Smith Jr., and his wife, Ashley Smith. Corrina J. Law, and her husband, Scott Law. Christopher S. Smith, and his wife, Victoria Smith. Barbara Smith, Samantha “Chiro Jewel” Smith, William Keith Beckham, Daniel Smith, Roger Smith, and Jessica Smith.

Jewel was blessed with a multitude of Great-Grandchildren:

Isabella Smith, Stephanie Smith, Tommy W. Smith III, Caleb Jewel Smith, Adam Sheffield, Alexander Law, Sebastian Smith, Kylie Smith, Dalton Marie Smith, Liam Smith, and Anthony Clayton.

Jewel is survived by his Nieces and Nephews:

Amanda Necaise, and her husband, Scott Necaise. Danielle Hickman, and her husband, Shane Hickman. Candice Lee, Tony Smith, and Jeannie Carr. 

He is also survived by extended family members and friends who will forever carry his memory with them.

Jewel was loved by many and will be deeply missed.

To know him was to love him. 

Rest easy, until we meet again...