Cochran – AJ Smith, age 91, went home to his Heavenly Father on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Bryant Nursing and Rehab Center in Cochran. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be in Bowers Cemetery with military honors.

Mr. Smith, born February 12, 1933, in Wausau, FL, was the son of the late Jesse A. and Laura Newsom Taylor and Nicie Smith Reynolds. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Brenda Sue Smith. AJ proudly served his country in the United States Army, retiring after 20 years as a medic and file clerk. He served in Vietnam, Germany, Japan, Korea and the United States. He was a devout Christian who loved Jesus Christ, preaching, his family and friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Patricia (Buddy) Peebles of Cochran and Janice "Jan" Rozier of Empire; 6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is at 179 Empire-Chester Highway, Cochran and will greet friends from 9:00 A.M. until time of the service Wednesday at Mathis Funeral Home.