Leon Prentiss Smith was born in Lucien, Rural Franklin County, Mississippi on January 4, 1916. He was the son of John R. and Ella Strait-Smith and one of their fifteen children. Leon was married his entire adult life to Bonnie Rae Hester-Smith and had three children, Imogene Smith-Harris, William Leon Smith, and Michael Lee Smith. Mr. Smith spent most of his time on this Earth living in Natchez, Mississippi. He was a life-long employee of the Armstrong Tire & Rubber Company, Union Member, and was a master plumber. He was a hard worker and provided amply for his family. Mr. Smith believed in the importance of education and insured all of his children were afforded a college education unencumbered by student debt. Mr. Smith was a devout Christian and Southern Baptist. He spent much of his free time providing free plumbing assistance to people of little means or working at and on the Emmanuel Baptist Church always insuring the physical plant was in excellent working order. Mr. Smith thoroughly enjoyed eating Southern cooking and known for his large family catfish fries, where he was willing to provide someone with an industrial size fryer of their very own just for the asking. He always drove pick-up truck during the week for practical reasons, but drove fine Lincoln automobiles to church on Sundays. Leon loved his grandchildren and always made sure he had their favorite foods on hand for their summer long visits. Mr. Smith’s retirement from full time work was brief. Shortly after retiring, he fell extremely ill. Eventually, he was diagnosed with benzene-induced leukemia, which was the result of all the years working in the tire factory. Mr. Smith died in February of 1984 at the age of 68 surrounded by family and loved ones. Those who knew him to this very day miss his presence.