James Earl Smith was born April 4, 1965 in Glen Allan, Mississippi to L.V. Smith, Sr. and the late Clara Jean Smith.

He attended Glen Allan High School. He confessed Christ at an early age at St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church, and later moved his membership to House of Prayer under the leadership of the late Pastor Mason. The current pastor is Apostle Robert Washington.

James loved fishing during his spare time and later grew a passion for lawn maintenance. He also loved going to church and attending gospel concerts.

James met his wife Bettye Williams at Glen Allan High School, and they were united in holy matrimony in July 2010.

James was preceded in death by: his loving mother, Clara Jean Smith; one (1) brother, Jackie Lee; one (1) sister, Annette Green; one (1) nephew, Patrick Smith.

As you leave us, our hearts are heavy and we will cherish our memories of you forever. He leaves to cherish: his loving wife, Betty Williams Smith; one (1) son, Troy Williams; two (2) daughters, Laurel and Ieshia Williams of Greenville, MS; father, L.V. (Gwendolyn) Smith, Sr. of Mayersville, MS; seven (7) brothers, L.V. Smith, Jr., Jerry Smith, Donald (Kristen) Smith, Jonathan (Romona) Smith, Robert (Netorian) Bunton, Myles Smith and Clifton (Annie) Thomas; one (1) sister, Maxine (Jimmie) Haynes; two (2) brothers-in-law, Jimmy Roy (Dorothy) Thomas, Turner (Brenda) Williams; three (3) sisters-in-law, Mary (Alonzo) Thomas, Ida Thomas, JoAnn (Willie) Williams Kelly; seven (7) grandchildren and two (2) great-grandchildren; one (1) godbrother, Michael Scott; three (3) god-sisters, Christine Bean-Myles, Mary Bean Hernton, and Gwendolyn Gaston; two (2) god-grandchildren, Jacob Weldon, Jr. and Davion Price; six (6) special friends, E.B. Williams, Clarence Johnson, Jr., Johnny Beckworth, Henry Winters, Kelvin Bailey, and Neal Jenkins and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, church family, great neighbors, friends, and his Collum Tool Family that will miss him dearly.