P. K. Smith
| Perry Kees "P. K." Smith | |
Louisiana State Representative
for Winn Parish | |
| In office 1960 – 1964 | |
| Preceded by | Ashton B. Collier |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Ashton B. Collier |
| Born | September 21, 1917 Winnfield, Louisiana |
| Died | March 25, 1983 (aged 65) Winnfield, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Winnfield |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Marjorie M. Smith |
| Children | Perry Joe Smith, Sr. (deceased)
Kenneth Michael "Mike" Smith |
| Residence | Winnfield, Louisiana |
| Occupation | Businessman Notes:
|
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Perry Kees Smith, known as P. K. Smith (September 21, 1917 – March 25, 1983), was a businessman from Winnfield, Louisiana, who served a single term as the state representative for Winn Parish from 1960 to 1964 during the administration of Governor Jimmie Davis.[1][2]
Smith was a son of Henry Hardy Smith (1879-1945) and the former Ada Savanah Fox (1887-1969).[2] In 1974, Smith and his two sons, Kenneth Michael "Mike" Smith and Perry Joe Smith, Sr. (1943–2009),[3] launched P. K. Smith Motors, which serves Winnfield and Jonesboro in nearby Jackson Parish as a General Motors dealer.[4] Smith Motors was also the Chrysler outlet until the company pulled out of Winnfield in 2009. Mike Smith co-owned P. K. Smith Motors, a Chevrolet and Oldsmobile outlet, with his brother.[5] In 1995, Mike Smith was elected to the first of three four-year terms as a state senator. Perry Joe Smith served on the Winn Parish Police Jury, the parish governing body, and operated several area businesses.
The Smith family over the years was also involved in other businesses in Winnfield, including a motel named for Huey Long, a restaurant, drive-in theater, dress shop, beauty shop, and an outlet of the former Gibson Discount Company. Smith's wife, the former Marjorie McLamore (March 27, 1923 – April 30, 1997), a Winn Parish native, launched the beauty shop from their home.[4][2]
P. K. Smith ran unsuccessfully in the 1940s for assessor of Winn Parish. A brother, Hardy "Junior" Smith, ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.[4] One of Smith’s sisters, Ruby Smith Long (1906–1984) of Natchitoches, was the mother of Gerald Long, a Democrat-turned Republican who was elected to succeed Mike Smith as state senator in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007. Mike Smith is therefore an extended member of the Long political family, originally based in Winnfield.
Smith died in Winnfield at the age of sixty-five of a lengthy illness. He is interred alongside his r son older son and wife at Gardens of Memory Cemetery.[2]
References
- ↑ Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024 (Winn Parish). Louisiana House of Representatives. Retrieved on April 14, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Perry Kees Smith. Winn Parish Enterprise News-American through Findagrave.com (March 30, 1983). Retrieved on April 14, 2020.
- ↑ Perry Joe Smith, Sr.. Findagrave.com. Retrieved on April 14, 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Tom Kelly. "New trade school OK’d in Winn: 'Gold Star' in career, says retiring State Senator Mike Smith". thepineywoods.com. Retrieved on October 29, 2009; material no longer on-line.
- ↑ P. K. Smith Motors of Winnfield, Louisiana. pksmithmotors.com. Retrieved on April 14, 2020.
