James Smith

ANNA, Ill. -- James A. Smith, 82, of Anna died Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at his home after a long illness.

Born Nov. 28, 1919, in Murphysboro, Ill., he was the son of Luther Lee and Ethel Bell Smith.

On Jan. 8, 1945, he was married to Marjorie Walter. She died Oct. 2, 1987.

For 40 years, Smith co-owned and operated Walter Hardware in Anna and was an active member of the community and former coach of Khoury League and high school football. He was a former member of the Anna District 37 school board and was one of four original members of the Union County Country Club in 1955.

Smith was a 1943 graduate of the University of Illinois where he was captain of the football team.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Navy on the USS Stephens in the South Pacific.

Survivors include a son, Mike Smith, and a daughter, Debbie Fitzgerald of Anna; two sisters, Glenna Bean of Greer, S.C., and Vera Mae Lucas of Flippin, Ark.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.

Crain Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.