james emory smitherman

James Emory Smitherman, 85, retired attorney who discovered and developed the Haynesville oil field in Claiborne Parish, died Wednesday after a long illness.

He served on the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors for 18 years.

Funeral services will be held Friday.  He is survived by his widow; three sons, James Smitherman Jr., and Scott Smitherman, both of Shreveport, and Eugene Smitherman of Houston, Tex.; three brothers, David Smitherman, C. Boyd Smitherman and R. Green Smitherman, all of Shreveport; and one sister, Mrs. Eleanor Mather of Hattiesburg, Miss.