Thomas Lane Smith (1952-2015)

Thomas Lane Smith of Madison, MS passed away at home with his family on February 21, 2015. Lane was born in Houston, MS on August 13, 1952, and was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Carse "Bud" and Mable Smith of Sparta, MS.

Lane graduated from Woodland High School in 1970 and received a B.S. in Biochemistry in 1974 and Ph.D. in Agronomy in 1980 from MS State University. After a career in Agricultural Sciences, Lane retired from Bayer in 2002 where he worked in research, conducting scientific field studies to develop new crop science products.

He loved to travel, meet people, and talking, and he enjoyed hunting, gardening, cooking, eating, photography, reading, as well as all types of music. He enjoyed volunteer work with the Northeast Jackson Soccer Association and Jackson Futbol Club. As a soccer coach, he mentored and inspired many young men who remember him with great affection. More recently, Lane served as Vice-President of Adult Leagues with the MS Youth Soccer Association (MYSA).

Lane was a founding member of Parkway Hills United Methodist Church and worked closely with Bruce Taylor, Philip Messner and many others to help establish the congregation and build the current church facility.

Lane was a devoted husband to his wife of 34 years, Ann Moore, and loving father to his son Andrew Smith. He is also survived, and will be missed, by family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, Lane would prefer donations to MYSA, 628 Lakeland East Dr., Flowood, MS 39232, or the American Cancer Association.

Funeral arrangements are by Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Visitation will be at 10:00 am Tuesday at Parkway Hills United Methodist Church, 1468 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison, MS 39110, and a memorial service at 11:00 am, with burial following at Prospect Cemetery in Houston, MS.