Mayor Eddie L. Smith, Jr., "A Giant of a Man", passes away
By: Walter Webb, Editor
Mayor Eddie Lee Smith was characterized as a "giant of a man," "a trailblazer," "a bridge-builder," "a visionary," "a mentor," "a public servant," but never a "politician" as he was eulogized in the packed W. A. McMillan Multi-Purpose Center at Rust College Tuesday.The first African-American mayor of Holly Springs who marked many firsts in his 71 years, died Thursday, January 25 due to complications to remove his right kidney.
Approaching the end of his third term as mayor, Eddie Lee Smith was remembered by fellow public servants, ministers, fellow church members, former students and those he touched along the way.
"When he was an advisor at Rust College he was my mentor and friend and in the 60s he was my protector," said William Scott.
Scott recollected his contributions to the Asbury United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities including Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts. He was the recipient of the Silver Beaver award, the highest award given in the Yocona Area Council.
G. E. Patterson, bishop of the Church of God in Christ, recognized Smith as an unsung hero of the civil rights movement.
"It is evident of the change that he was mayor and he was on the cutting edge of that change," Patterson said.
Alderman at Large Andre DeBerry remembers the mayor as someone who bridged may divides in the community.
"We have lost a man of great stature and a giant of wisdom," DeBerry said.
Holly Springs School Superintendent Judy Smith said that the Smith's greatest interest was in seeing children get a good education.
"He was a visionary leader," Smith said. "He was always asking where are we going."
"Through grace he did a lot of things people didn't know about," she said.
Rust College President David Beckley said Smith gave him his first job.
"He inspired in us that we are somebody," Beckley said. "When he was elected alderman and mayor, Rust College and Holly Springs would be different because of this giant of a man."
Jeanie Smith, executive director of the Mississippi Municipal League, where the mayor served as state president, remembered Smith as a "professional, honest and gentle man."
She remembered as she became the first woman director of the League and he was the second African-American president, he challenged her to do her best.
"We have the responsibility. We must not fail," he told her.
Dr. W. A. McMillan, former president of Rust College, worked with Mayor Smith for 35 years.
"He was a man who believed in leading with a life for others to follow," Dr. McMillan said.
Reuben Pegues, who worked under the mayor in various titles for 12 years, said that he was his mentor and taught him to be more compassionate.
Police Chief Jimmy Howell said that he believed Mayor Smith would wish for his community to work in harmony.
"Let's come together. That's what Mayor Smith would want us to do," he said.
Mozell Kelly, a spokesman for the NAACP, said that Mayor Smith was a charter member of the local organization and was an active lifetime subscriber.
"He was a member when it was neither safe nor profitable to be associated with the NAACP," she said.
Resolutions were presented in Mayor Smith's honor from Wackenhut Corrections, where he served on an advisory board; African-American Museum and Ida B. Wells Family Art Gallery; and the Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors.
Lee Eric Smith said his father would never want to be called a politician, rather a public servant or a statesman.
"He was a man and he taught me and my brothers to be men," he said.
Eddie Lee Smith was born July 15, 1929 in Fayette County, Tenn. He was the 11th of 13 children.
In 1935 he moved with his parents to Holly Springs. He was educated in the segregated schools of Mississippi.
After serving in the Army as a medic in the Korean War, he returned to Holly Springs and began studying business administration at Rust College. He was graduated from Rust in 1956.
For two years he was principal at Galena Elementary School. He ran unsuccessfully for county school superintendent.
In 1960, he returned to Rust College where he worked for 27 years as director of public relations, business manager, and director of grants and contracts. He retired in 1987 to begin one of several businesses.
He was active in civic rights activities leading local voter registration efforts and was instrumental in school desegregation.
As the first director of ICS Headstart, he laid the foundation for a program that has touched thousands of lives in North Mississippi.
In 1977, he was elected as Alderman of Ward 1. Not reelected, he turned to achieving a masters in business administration from the University of Miami.
He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1985 but was elected in 1989 as the first African-American mayor.
Among his recent projects were the North Memphis Street Revitalization, purchase of the Gatewood house which became the location of the Ida B. Wells Family Art Gallery; the north bypass connecting Highway 78 and Highway 4 which will be named the Eddie Lee Smith, Jr., Drive. At the time of his death he as working on the creation of the Spring Hollow Park and multi-purpose center.
He was past president of the Mississippi Municipal League; the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the Presidential Scholars Program (of which he was secretary in the Clinton administration); Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Commissioners; Northeast Mississippi Planning and Development District; North Mississippi Industrial Development Association; Mississippi Liability Board; National League of Cities; Mississippi Mayors Association; Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors; and the National Conference of Black Mayors.
Approaching the end of his third term he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney. The kidney was successfully removed but he died from complications from the operation