Nicholas Phillip “Phil” Smelley,  a resident of Whatley, passed away Nov. 2, 2011 at Monroe County Hospital. He was born in Coker on Aug. 20, 1931 and was 80 years of age at the time of his death. Mr. Smelley, was a meter technician with the City of Moss Point. He was a member of Amity Baptist Church in Whatley and a veteran of the United States Army and the United States Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Smelley of Whatley; stepson, Tommy (Donna) Phillips of Whatley; stepdaughter, Judy (Douglas) Clarke of Grove Hill; brothers, James Smelley and Nathan Smelley, both of Moss Point, Miss.; sister, Virginia Matthews of Tuscaloosa; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Nov. 4 at the Amity Baptist Church with the Rev. Percy Clarke officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery under the direction of Lathan Funeral Home in Grove Hill.
Pallbearers were Charles Hicks, Myron Gregory, John Salter, Joseph Salter, Daniel Clarke and Austin Roberts.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.lathanfuneralhomes.com.