James Samuel “Sammy” Smith, 86, of Batesville, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the North Mississippi Veterans Home in Oxford.

The funeral service will be held Friday, May 10,  at 11 a.m. in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Liberty Hill Cemetery.

Rev. John Howell, Jr. and Dr. Gary Berry will officiate.

Sammy was born December 24, 1938 to the late John Everett Smith and Ethel Lee Pitcock Smith in Pope. Sammy proudly served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy. After serving in the military, Sammy began his law enforcement career with the Memphis Police Department as a Police Officer. Sammy would remain with the Department for 30 years before retiring as Captain. In his spare-time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching western movies. Sammy was a member of Batesville First Baptist Church.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his precious memory includes his loving wife, Janie Lowe Smith of Batesville; four sons, Michael L. Smith (Paula) of Pope, Kevin Smith (Tammy) of Pope, John Ingram of New Albany, Jay Ingram of Eufaula. OK.; two brothers, Billy Smith of Pope, Calvin Smith of Courtland; seven grandchildren, Tyler Smith, Jennifer Briggs, Hunter Smith, Darbi Sutton, Kristen Ingram, Ethan Ingram, and Sarah Ingram; three great-grandchildren, Jonathan Tucker Smith, Casper and Micah Briggs.

In leu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Billy Smith, 5780 Pope Water Valley Rd., Pope MS 38658.