Allan Boyd Smith, Jr.

Allan Boyd Smith, Jr.

Mr. Allan Boyd Smith, Jr., 91, better known as A.B., died Sunday, January 22, 2017 at his home in West Memphis.

Always devoted to agriculture and especially the business aspects of farming, A.B. Smith has helped many Mid South producers survive hard times and then go on to prosper in better times.

As a farm mortgage appraiser with Connecticut General Life Insurance Company for 37 years, he has helped a countless number of producers purchase farmland to start up or to expand existing operations. His service to borrowers did not end with closing loans and making sure they make the mortgage payments. He often guided his clients with rock-solid management input. During difficult times, such as the 1980's farm recession, A B Smith convinced his company not to foreclose but to let a number of very good farmer-borrowers stay in business.

Also, while servicing other farmers, A. B. personally acquired and has improved several tracts of farmland in the Mississippi Delta and near Hughes Arkansas. Although a resident of Eastern Arkansas for most of his working career, A. B. was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and reared in Marks, Mississippi. He entered Mississippi State College in 1942, volunteered for service in the U.S. Air Force in 1943 and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant as a navigator of B-24's during World War II.

After the War ended, A.B. re-entered Mississippi State in 1946 and distinguished himself as an outstanding scholar and student leader. While pursuing a B.S. Degree in Agriculture, he served first as treasurer and later as vice president of the student body. He held membership and offices in honor societies and fraternities, including Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key, and Alpha Zeta. He was very active in his beloved Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

These early accomplishments prepared him for a long and distinguished career in Mid-South Agriculture. A.B. was named Member of the Year for 2000 for the Memphis Agricultural Club.

He is a Paul Harris Fellow for the Hughes Rotary Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lorena J. "Rockie" Smith.

He is survived by his daughter, Llana Young Smith (Dr. John Rada) of Cordova, Tenn. and a sister, Johanne Echols (Robert) of Paducah, Ky.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home with burial following at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion.

Memorials may be made to the World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, La. 70130 or to the charity of donor's Choice.

An online guestbook may be found at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.