Alton Smith

Published 2:40 pm Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Bro. Alton Smith, affectionately known as “Papa, Smitty, Get Down, Lobby and Po Back,” was born Feb. 19, 1950, to Emma Bell Tillman and the late J. P. Singleton in Wesson, Miss. He was reared by his grandparents, the late James and Beulah Smith. During his early years, he was a member of Harry’s Chapel United Methodist Church. He later joined Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Smitty attended Central Elementary and became a proud 1969 graduate of Central Memorial High School. Following graduation, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served his country for three years including a nine-month tour in Vietnam. As a result of service, 1st Sgt. Alton Smith was decorated with numerous awards including a Purple Heart.

In 1980, he met and married his loving devoted wife of 37 years, Carol Darden Smith.

His memory shall be cherished by his wife, Carol Smith; a son, Ramah (Tiffany) Smith; a daughter, Toya Burris; grandchildren, Cardeja, John, Amari, Amir of Bogalusa and K’Saan and Ramahj of LaPlace; his mother, Emma Tillman of Natchez, Miss.; three sisters, Juanita (Charles Sr.) Potters, Ruthie Pendleton and Lea Edna Williams; three brothers, Walter Smith, Eddie Tillman of Natchez, and George Tillman of West Palm Beach, Fla.; mother-in-law, Katherine Evans; god-mother, Willene Elzey; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Alton was preceded in death by his father, J.P. Singleton; grandparents, James and Beulah Smith; and his step-father, Alton Tillman.

The visitation is from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Bogalusa; as well as Saturday, March 10, at Bethlehem Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Elder Christopher Matthews will be officiating. Interment will follow at Bogalusa Cemetery.

Sign the guestbook online at www.crainandsons.com.