Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1948
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Sam Smith-Vaniz Obituary
Canton - Sam Palmer Smith-Vaniz was born in Canton, MS on May 28, 1948 and departed on May 10, 2019. He met Bridget Blackstock at Holmes Junior in 1968 and knew he had met the woman he was going to marry. They married on June 7, 1968 and have been married for fifty years. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Canton.
Sam graduated from Ole Miss in 1970 in Sales and Marketing. He retired from Trustmark National Bank in May 2015 after a long career in banking. Sam was a lifetime member in the Rotary Club of Canton where he served as Secretary/Treasurer for many years.
Sam's joy in life came from spending time with the love of his life, Bridget, known as BeBe, and his family. Pop, as his grandchildren called him, loved traveling with BeBe and vacationing at the beach with family and friends. He could always be found in his shop, wearing his overalls, enjoying his favorite hobby, woodworking. Of course, he always needed a new tool when starting a new project. Sam loved to take things apart just to see how they worked. Sometimes he got them back together with all the parts and sometimes he didn't. Sam touched the lives of many people throughout his life. He will be dearly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Watson Smith-Vaniz and Lucille Ledbetter Smith-Vaniz.
He is survived by his wife, Bridget Smith-Vaniz; daughters, Lea Ann (Doug) Packer and Sandra (Sean) Sartin; grandchildren, John Palmer Sartin, Jack Andrew Sartin, and Lea Douglas Packer; Siblings, Jo Ann Smith-Vaniz Phillips, William Larry Smith-Vaniz, and Thomas Reid Smith-Vaniz; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home from 5 - 7 pm on Monday, May 13, 2019. Memorial services will be 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Canton, P. O. Box 377, Canton, MS 39046.
A guestbook is available at breelandfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sam Smith-Vaniz
Sponsored by Breeland Funeral Home and Crematory Service.
June 11, 2019
Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow, you are in our prayers.
Jimmy, Ruth & Vanessa Shumaker
Billy Chandler
May 13, 2019
Bridget and family, Jo Ann, Larry & Tommy - I am stunned just as you all are. Hugs and prayers for God's Word to remind you of His Peace, Comfort & Promise to never leave you alone during these difficult days. Blessings.
Debra Hardwick
May 13, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Christian Crockcer
May 13, 2019
Sam Palmer was always so kind to me, especially this past year. He and Bridget have been wonderful friends and neighbors. I will miss seeing him when I am in Canton. Much love to his family!
Dr. Ralph Vance
May 12, 2019
Our hearts and prayers are with the Smith-Vaniz family.
Our love,
The Vances
Oxford, Mississippi
May 12, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
David Cox
May 12, 2019
Larry,
I am very sorry for your loss.
Linda Case
May 11, 2019
Bridgette and Family, I am so sorry for your terrible loss. Sam was always the nicest gentleman to me when I first moved to Canton. I have never forgot all his kindness to me. May he Rest In Peace in the house of the lord.
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
Make a Donation
in Sam Smith-Vaniz's name
Memorial Events
for Sam Smith-Vaniz
Funeral services provided by:
Breeland Funeral Home and Crematory Service3304 South Liberty Street, Canton, MS 39046
How to support Sam's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Sam Smith-Vaniz's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
