ERNEST X. SMITH JR. (BUDDY) was born March 30, 1956, to Ernest X. Smith Sr. and Thelma M.
Smith, in Delisle, Ms. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Melvin and Rose Swanier. He
graduated from Pass Christian High School in May of 1974. Afterwards he enlisted in the United
States Army where he served four years as military police for Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On April 24,
1976, he married his high school sweetheart Lynne D. Dedeaux. This union of love lasted for over 44
years and blessed them with four wonderful children.

After four years in North Carolina, Buddy and Lynne returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As Buddy
fulfilled his military duty by serving at the 305th Army Medical Unit in Gulfport, MS, he also worked
at the Chattanooga Glass Plant. When the company decided to close down, he returned to school and
invested in creating his own self-employed business of driving trucks. Over the years, he had become
very well-known at the Port of Gulfport and was privileged to connect with many businesses along
the coast.

Growing up he was a member of St. Stephens Catholic Church in Delisle, MS. He served as an alter
boy and attended many community functions in both Delisle and Pass Christian. After moving to
Gulfport, he joined St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport, MS.

Buddy was a hard worker and lived by the priority of being a provider for his family. His work ethic of
working multiple jobs and every day was part of his daily routine. He was known to many neighborhood
friends, churches, and local business as someone to depend on... for food donations, mechanics, and often
unwanted advice. To family and friends, he was the life of the party. He was known to joke around
with every niece and nephew. Over time he has acquired several nicknames by family and friends
including Smitty, Santa, Papi, and Paw-Paw.

On September 10, 2020, his life was cut short doing what he loved to do…driving trucks!
He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest X. Smith, Sr. and Thelma M. Smith; his grandparents
Melvin and Rose Swanier; sister Lois M. Smith; grandson Omari Za'quan Brown, and his sister Robin
M. Smith as a special angel to guide his way.

To cherish his memory, he leaves behind: his wife Lynne Smith of Gulfport, MS; his six children
Latashia Smith of Charleston, SC, Amanda (Alden) Ward of Midland, GA, Desmond (Michelle)
Smith of Pass Christian, MS, Brandon (Cecelia) Saucier of Panama City, FL, Xavier Smith of Gulfport,
MS and Jamar (Lenora) Norman of McHenry, MS; three sisters, Mary Graves of Atlanta GA, Alma
Holloway of D'iberville, MS, and Rashelle Smith of Del Valle, TX; five brothers Mark (Josie) of Biloxi,
MS., Wayne (Jackie) Smith of Columbia, SC, Dale (Diane) Smith of Mendenhall, MS, Gary (Sheryl) of
Atlanta, GA, and Ryan (Janell) of Austin, TX, and Deloris Smith of New Orleans, LA; 21 grandchildren
and a host of family and friends.