Phillip Harrell Smith

PHILLIP HARRELL SMITH Phillip Harrell Smith, age 87, a resident of Franklinton, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. Affectionately known as “Daddy, Dad, Poppaw Phillip, or Pops,” Phillip was born in McComb, Mississippi on August 24, 1936 to Samuel Harrell Smith, Jr. and Juanita Lytle Smith. He was co-valedictorian of the 1954 Franklinton High School graduating class. Phillip first furthered his education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduated from the College of Business in the summer of 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He played clarinet in what is now known as The Golden Band from Tigerland, loved classical music and also marching arrangements by John Philip Sousa. After this, he served in the United States Army as a Morse Code Operator where he was stationed in Erlangen, Germany for two years. Phillip served during peacetime and enjoyed telling stories about the German soldiers throwing “sausages” at the U.S. Soldiers and how he lost all his money touring Paris. Before Phillip completed his tour with the army, he worked for CPA firms in both Houston, TX, and New York City. Later, he returned to LSU to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He loved reading books and watching old westerns. He strongly disliked when people misspelled his name using only one “L.” In his early business years, Phillip was integral in running a family owned business, Smith Milk Company. He told stories of driving the milk truck in earlier days to New Orleans, Louisiana as the primary supplier of milk to the Schweggman Stores. Smith Milk was one of the first companies to deliver milk with refrigerated trucks. He went on to practice as a Certified Public Accountant for over 50 years. He loved numbers and delighted in meeting with his clients and assisting them with all of their tax needs. Phillip served many years on the Franklinton Rotary Club and was a member of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce. Phillip thoroughly enjoyed teaching the younger boys in Sunday School class during his earlier years. In fact, that is how he met his future wife. Phillip was a charter member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. He was a devoted deacon, usher, and church treasurer. He edited the Hillcrest Herald and loved taking photographs for this church newsletter. Being the head usher at the back door of the sanctuary was a favorite job of his for several years where shy Phillip learned to enjoy meeting and greeting folks who were attending the church services. He loved reading the story of Christ to his young grandchildren every year on Christmas Eve. He was also a joker, wrapping up fake Christmas Gifts for the grandkids or making them scavenger hunt for their gifts. He is survived by his Wife of over 59 years, Sylvia Kelly Smith; His daughter, Shanda Leigh Smith Addison and son-in-Law Byron Wayne Addison; grandson Cody Wayne Addison (wife Jacey), two great-granddaughters Emma Cori and Ellie K and an expected third great-grand; Also grandson Daniel Garrett Addison, all of Loranger, LA. His son, Matthew Harrell Smith and daughter-in-Law Monica Valenti Smith; granddaughter Marley Elene Smith (boyfriend Cole Colletti) and granddaughter Mattie Claire Smith. Brother Qua Smith and Sister-in-Law Judy Smith, and their sons, Jim and Mark Smith, all of Franklinton. Sisters-in-Law Martha Kelly Lea and Lisa Martin Kelly of Denham Springs, LA. Also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and dear friends He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Juanita Smith, brother Wayne Smith and sister-in-Law Amy Jo Smith and brothers-in-Law Dewitt T. “Bo” Lea and Willie E. “Billy” Kelly, Jr. Visitation will be Friday, July 19th at Hillcrest Baptist Church (2201 Washington Street, Franklinton, LA 70438) from 2 pm to 4 pm. A memorial service is following with Dr. H. Gene Richards officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) (www.stjude.org) Honorary Pallbearers: Kevin Lea, Daniel Addison, Cody Addison, Terry Morgan, Don Varnado, Ken Knight, Aubrey Posey, and Hillcrest Baptist’s Amen Sunday School Class. The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to his caregivers Jailyn, Colton, Jennifer, Michelle and Lori for their loving support; to his primary care provider Dr. Robin Fabre and to the staff of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Unit 3-North, Intensive Care, Palliative and Hospice Care for the professional care they provided. Thank you to all the family and friends for your thoughts and prayers.

Phillip Harrell Smith

August 24, 1936 - July 6, 2024

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Phillip Harrell Smith

August 24, 1936 - July 6, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

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About Us

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