Marshall B. Nesmith, Jr.
Marshall B. Nesmith, Jr., 91, of Hazlehurst, died Monday, August 29, 2011 at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Jackson where he had been a resident for 13 years.
Survivors include: sister, Rachel and her husband John O. Baas, a niece, O’Hara Croswell and husband Bill, a nephew, John Alan Baas and wife Sandy; three great nieces, Alison Horner, Shelley Neely, Lindsey Baas and a great nephew, Dylan Baas. Also a great, great niece, Jill Horner and great, great nephew, Ben Horner, and a very special, faithful, loyal and devoted former student, Leroy Crisco, who has visited “Coach” twice a week for the past 13 years.
Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00p.m. Wednesday, August 31 at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst and 10:00a.m to 11:00a.n. on Thursday, September 1 followed by services at 11:00a.m. Private interment will follow at Hazlehurst Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Hazlehurst is handling arrangements.
Mr. Nesmith was born in Hazlehurst, October 16, 1919 to Marshall B. Nesmith, Sr. and Annice Wade Nesmith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie.
“Coach” graduated from Hazlehurst High School in 1937. He spent the next two years at Perkenston Junior College and graduated from Mississippi State in May 1941. He played varsity baseball the four years in college.
June 1941 he was drafted in the U. S. Army where he served for 5 years. While in the service, he continued to play baseball while stationed here in the United States and while stationed in Europe. Upon his return to Hazlehurst, he played semi-pro baseball in Jackson, Leavenworth, Kansas, and St. Joe, La.
In 1947, he started his teaching career at Hazlehurst High School and continued to serve in the Copiah County School District until his retirement in 1976. Following his retirement he was asked to serve as Head Master for part of the year at Union Academy where he remained a member of the faculty until 1992.
Survivors include: sister, Rachel and her husband John O. Baas, a niece, O’Hara Croswell and husband Bill, a nephew, John Alan Baas and wife Sandy; three great nieces, Alison Horner, Shelley Neely, Lindsey Baas and a great nephew, Dylan Baas. Also a great, great niece, Jill Horner and great, great nephew, Ben Horner, and a very special, faithful, loyal and devoted former student, Leroy Crisco, who has visited “Coach” twice a week for the past 13 years.
Memorials may be made to the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.