Dewitt, affectionately known as papa, was born May 16, 1938, in Edinburg, MS, to Horace and Mary Allene Smith. He was a graduate of Edinburg High School. Dewitt began his career with Irby Electric in 1957, and then served in the U.S. Army before continuing his work with Irby Electric. He started work with East Mississippi Electric Power Association in 1964 and worked his way up to Line Foreman before retiring in 1998. He was a member of Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church.
Dewitt was a man of quiet strength, unwavering character, and an unmatched work ethic. He took great pride in everything he did, whether tending a full garden, caring for his Tennessee Walking and saddle horses in earlier years, building fences, bush hogging, or keeping his land in impeccable condition. If something was broken, chances are Dewitt could fix it—and just as importantly, teach you how and why he fixed it along the way.
Known for his calm and gentle nature, he was the perfect complement to his beloved wife, Pat, whose outgoing personality brought joy and laughter to their home after the two met in New Mexico while he was in the service. Together they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and devotion to their family.
Even as he grew older and was faced with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and drop foot, which gradually weakened his legs and made walking increasingly difficult, Dewitt refused to let those challenges define him. He continued helping in his daughter’s chicken houses, building fences, working the land, and serving those he loved until it was no longer physically safe to do so. Through his actions more than his words, he taught his family the value of perseverance, humility, responsibility, and doing every job to the very best of his ability. He always put others before himself, never hesitating to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed.
In his later years, some of his greatest contentment was found in the simple things—resting in his favorite chair with three burners glowing nearby, listening to Willie’s Roadhouse playing loudly on the radio, and being surrounded by the family he loved so deeply. His legacy of faith, integrity, selfless service, and unconditional love will continue to live on through the lives of all who were blessed to know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Mary Allene Smith, and by his beloved wife of 49 years, Pat Smith.
He is survived by three daughters, Charlotte (Lionel) Hamrick of New Orleans, LA, Vicki (Michael) Chambliss of Louisville, and Mandy (Ken) Mills of Louisville; a sister, Patty (the late Leroy) Callahan of Forest, MS; two brothers, Carl (the late Deloris) Smith of Morton, MS, and Keith (Robin) Smith of Brandon, MS; five grandchildren, Justin (Jaimee) Childs, Madison (Dillon) Womble, Collin Mills, Jordan (Lane) Taylor, and Raegan Chambliss; and his great-grandchildren, Kipp Womble, Patton Childs, Quintin Childs, Shep Womble, MaryAllyn Taylor, Hayze Harper, and Cayson Lane Taylor.
Pallbearers will be Travis Vowell, Bryce Nester, Dewayne Howard, Barry Vowell, Stuart Ingram, Jerry Pearson, and Mike Etheridge.