Thursday evening, family, friends and colleagues of former longtime city attorney Martin T. Smith gathered in Poplarville to honor his memory.
Smith passed away in February and according to longtime friends, was a community leader, not only in his hometown, but throughout the state as well.
According to previous Item coverage, from 1968 to 1988, Smith represented Pearl River County in the Mississippi Senate and was the first administrative director of the Administrative Office of Courts from 1993 to 1997. For 30 years, Smith served as the attorney for the PRCC Board of Trustees and as attorney for the city of Poplarville for the past 24 years.
The Pearl River County Bar Association co-hosted the event with the city of Poplarville, PRC Bar Association President Mike Patten said.
“We are here to honor his memory,” Patten said. “He was active in both civic and community activities. During his time in the Senate, he supported many projects. He was a leader among attorneys in ethics and professionalism. He set a high standard for the rest of us to follow.”
The PRC Bar Association adopted a resolution honoring Smith and Picayune attorney Gerald Cruthird presented it to Smith’s wife Dolores.
“Martin was a warm, gentle and generous man who possessed considerable abilities which allowed him to serve his clients and constituents with distinction,” Cruthird said. “Martin was the complete package with intelligence, character, humility and kindness. He was the quintessential southern gentleman, who we do miss so much and wish to sincerely honor today.”
Smith’s son, Martin Barney Smith, along with his three sons, Adam, Evan and Andrew were also in attendance.
“Dad would have been very honored,” Martin said. “He devoted his life to this state, city and college.”
Dolores said her husband just loved being an attorney.
“He enjoyed the people and the legal process,” she said. “Tonight is wonderful and I’m very appreciative of all they have done. It’s so good to see everybody.”
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise expressed his appreciation to the PRC Bar Association for allowing the city to be involved in honoring Smith.
“We miss and love him and think about him everyday,” Necaise said. “There was so much confidence when Martin was here. There was never any question about whether it was the right or wrong thing. There was so much safety and security in having him there and his presence is very much missed.”