Obituary for Kenneth Smith | O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Homes
- Date Of Birth: April 13, 1943
- Date Of Death: July 3, 2022
- State: Mississippi
Kenneth (Kenny) Ozelle Smith, April 13, 1943 – July 3, 2022, of Gautier, MS, 79, passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022. He was born on April 13, 1943, in Piave, MS as the twelfth of sixteen children, the son of Virgil G. Smith and Gladys Powell Smith. He graduated from Sand Hill High School in 1961 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1966 from the University of Mississippi.
While attending Ole Miss, Kenny played baseball and football (Offensive Guard). He was on the 1963 National Championship Football Team and played in three bowl games, in 1963, 1964, and 1965. Kenny was a devoted Ole Miss fan and loved to attend and watch Ole Miss sports.
After graduation, he was a teacher and coach for three years at Pascagoula School District. Kenny was in the real estate and the home building business since 1968, when he opened Smith Homes & Associates, Inc. He retired as Owner/Broker of Coldwell Banker Smith Homes REALTORS in 2017.
He formed a group of investors and served as President and Project Coordinator of Shell Landing Development, Inc. This development includes the current 1,200 acre Shell Landing Subdivision and the 18 hole Shell Landing Golf Course in Gautier, MS.
Kenny touched many lives through his personal involvement with Martin Bluff Baptist Church, where he was a member, Pascagoula School District, Youth for Christ, Home of Grace, Gautier Rotary Club, Boy Scouts of America, Gautier Pride, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation.
Kenny loved his family, his community, his career, Ole Miss, Elvis, sports, and he had a heart of gold. He enjoyed life, working in his yard, fishing, and playing golf. He always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face. With an unquenched desire, he gave 110% at life and all that he accomplished and encouraged others to do the same.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil G. and Gladys Smith, brothers, Charles T. Smith, Verl G. Smith, Stanford P. Smith, Wayburn D. Smith, G. McClarity (Mack) Smith, Wallace T. Smith; sisters, Katrina Bullock, Audrey Johnston, Loraine McMillan, Joye Chancellor and Anne Castleberry.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna Maria Cotita Smith of Gautier, MS; three children and one son-in-law, Suzanne Cowart Martin of Gautier, MS, Larry Cowart, Jr. of Escatawpa, MS, Lana Smith (Benny) Watts of Pascagoula, MS; eight grandchildren, Jacques Martin, III, Jean Taylor Martin, Larry (Trey) Cowart, III, Brooke Cowart (Trent) Lawson, Miranda Cowart, B. Patrick Watts, III, Elijah Watts, Nicholas Watts; four great grandchildren, Jameson Martin, Liston Martin, Maysen Claire Lawson and Riley Coy Lawson; two brothers, Dwight L. (Diane) Smith, Mitchell (Diane) Smith; two sisters, Kaye S. Newells and Laynea S. (John) Harville; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
