Leland Somers Smith, III

Leland Somers Smith, III, of Madison, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on December 27,2019, at the age of 62.

Leland was born on February 22, 1957, in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of Leland S. Smith, Jr., and Janice Taylor Smith. He was raised in Jackson and had lived in Madison, Mississippi, for the last 32 years. Leland graduated from Callaway High School.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Millsaps College in 1980, graduating cum laude. At Millsaps he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. Leland obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1982, after which he returned to Jackson to begin his practice of law. He joined the firm of Wilkins, Patterson, Smith and Pumphrey, where he practiced for over 34 years. A lifelong Methodist, Leland was raised at Broadmeadow UMC and had been a member of Madison United Methodist Church for the past 32 years, where he served on various committees and enjoyed attending the Methodist Men's Club. Leland was preceded in death by his parents, Janice Taylor Smith and Leland S. Smith, Jr.



He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Priscilla Lawrence Smith; children, Melanie Smith Crawford (Wil) of Madison, Leland "Lee" Somers Smith IV of Austin, Texas, granddaughter Mary Somers Crawford of Madison, and another grandchild due in April. Also, Sisters, Barbara Vilutis (Arv) of Houston, Texas; Brother-in-law, George Lawrence (Georgetta) of Memphis, TN. Nieces, Katherine Vilutis of Houston, Texas, Sara Vilutis of Dallas, Texas, Jennifer Mapp of Pearl, MS and one nephew Paul McCaige of New Orleans, LA.

A funeral service was held December 30, 2019 at Madison Methodist Church.