Fallen Hero: Retired Sergeant Joseph Wayne Smith

Meridian, MS

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Funeral Home

Robert Barham Family Funeral Home

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Obituary

Look Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten.” In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service, which our military men and women have given to their country and our state, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard memorializing its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on September 16, 2026 and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Retired Sergeant Joseph Wayne Smith, age 54, Meridian, MS, who served with the 150th Brigade Engineer Battalion has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.

It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.

A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly, and live so freely.

You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.

Another great soldier has gone home—“Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life.”

Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mr. Joseph Wayne Smith will begin at 10:00 a.m. on October 2, 2026 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home. Interment, with military honors, will be held at the Mississippi Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Newton. The family will receive guests for a time of visitation on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Smith, 54, of Meridian passed away on September 17, 2026 at his residence.

Joseph was born on August 31, 1972 in Meridian, Mississippi to Phillip and Marie Smith. In 1999, he joined the United States Navy and later joined the United States Army National Guard, honorably serving his country as a combat medic. He was injured on February 3, 2005 by an IED explosion, which killed one of his combat brothers, Sean Cooley. Only three people survived, Joseph, Stacy Ford, and Jack Walker. Because of his brave and honorable service, Mr. Smith was honored with a Purple Heart and a Combat Medic Badge. He was a Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. He enjoyed playing pool and a lover of classic cars and motorcycles.

He is survived by his wife, Leah Jane Smith; children, Amber Carlton (Slater), Andrew Smith, Alayna Smith, P.J. Polanco (Avri), Katherine Polanco, Kelli Smith, and Johnny Polanco; grandchildren, Wesley Carlton, Paige Carlton, and Rylee Smith; mother, Marie Smith; brother, John M. Smith (Lisa); and numerous other family members, friends, and combat brothers and sisters.

He was preceded in death by his father, Phillip Randolph Smith and one brother, James Alan Smith.

Pallbearers will be Winston Walker, Josh

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.