NATCHEZ-Services for Mr. Cecil Gill Smith, Jr., 83, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at his residence after a lengthy illness, will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Richard Wood officiating.

Burial will follow at Fayette City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Saturday at his home, 1100 Main St. in Natchez.

Mr. Smith was born November 22, 1928 in Fayette, MS, the son of Cecil Gill Smith, Sr. and Marjorie Truly Smith. Mr. Smith graduated from Fayette High School. Afterwards, he went to Davidson College, and completed his degree at the University of Mississippi. Mr. Smith volunteered to go to Korea, where he earned a bronze star. When he returned home, he completed Tulane University with a Juris Doctorate in Law. Mr. Smith practiced law in this area for over 45 years. On June 10, 1961, Cecil Gill Smith, Jr. married Sarah Thompson Smith.

He is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Sarah Thompson Smith; one son: Whitney Thompson Smith and his wife, Brandye Payne Smith; one daughter, Sarah Dunbar Amoss and her husband, John Amoss; three grandchildren, Ben Smith, James Amoss, and Jeff Amoss.

Pallbearers will be Lawrence Gooden, John Amoss, Dennis Short, Peter Burns, David Hall, Paul Lemke, Stratton Bull, Jim Blough, Jackie Owens, Jimmy Thomas, Luckie Groover, and Johnnie Watts.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Hospice Compassus and a special nurse, Ann Cobb, and her assistants.

Memorials may be made to the Natchez Adams County Humane Society, Trinity Episcopal Day School, or the George W. Armstrong Library.