Lawrence L. Smith, 86, of Savannah, Tennessee, died December 31, 2019. An Army veteran and longtime postal worker who retired in 1990 after 28 years with the United States Postal Service, he later ran his own business and served as a pastor for more than 20 years at Living Word Church in Sardis and Christ Temple Assembly of God in Saltillo.

Though his obituary initially described a peaceful passing, later reports say his death resulted from an accidental gunshot wound sustained outside a local gun store. The death was not treated as a criminal act; no arrests were made and no suspects sought. He was survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Berneice, two sons Robert L. Smith and Kevin L. Smith, a brother and a sister, and was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

If anyone knew Lawrence or has information about the circumstances that night, please share what is known.