Hundreds gather as Crawley says final farewell to Jim Smith

Funeral of former four time Crawley Mayor Jim Smith. Pic Steve Robards SR1635385 SUS-160512-192833001

More than 350 people packed out St Margaret’s Church, in Ifield, to say a fond farewell to the four-time town mayor at his funeral on Monday (December 5).

So many wanted to pay their respects that they could not all squeeze into the building and 40 more gathered outside to listen to the service over a loud speaker.

Touching floral tributes were placed beside his mayoral robes, decorated in medals for his long service to the town, including one display shaped as a football, a sport which Jim loved and played for many years.

Funeral of former four time Crawley Mayor Jim Smith MBE. Pic Steve Robards SR1635343 SUS-160512-192626001

Jim, who was made an Honorary Freeman and Alderman for his service to the town, died at home on November 9 at the age of 89.

The former Crawley Borough councillor dedicated his life to Crawley, representing Langley Green for 22 years before serving Ifield and Gossops Green.

He spent 39 years on the council and was described as “a true public servant”, “full of humour and wisdom” and “a big presence”, being held in the highest regard by many who knew him.

Councillor Peter Lamb, leader of the council, said: “It’s sad to see Jim has passed. The council owes him a great debt for his many years of service but his legacy lives on in the lives of the people he touched and the town he helped create.”

Funeral of former four time Crawley Mayor Jim Smith MBE. Pic Steve Robards SR1635387 SUS-160512-192845001

As well as the borough council, Jim served as a county councillor from 1997 until 2009. He was made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in January in recognition of his public service.

He leaves wife Brenda – a Crawley Borough councillor and two-time Mayor of Crawley – four adult children, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Following the emotional service the family hosted a celebration of his life at the Hawth, a building which he was pivotal in bringing to the town and was one of his proudest achievements.

His long list of honours also includes being chairman of the Crawley Town Twinning Association (CTTA) from 1973 to 1998, president of CTTA from 1998 and president of Crawley Arts Council from 1995 to 2005.

Funeral of former four time Crawley Mayor Jim Smith MBE. Pic Steve Robards SR1635373 SUS-160512-192807001

He was a magistrate on the Crawley Bench from 1976 to 1997 and was also a trustee of the Courage-Dyer Recreational Trust, which funds projects which create and encourage recreational opportunities for residents of Crawley.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

Funeral of former four time Crawley Mayor Jim Smith MBE. Pic Steve Robards SR1635401 SUS-160512-192644001

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.