COLUMBUS — A 79-year-old Smithville tornado victim died Friday in Columbus, bringing the total number of deaths caused by the April 27 twister in Monroe County up to 17.
Maxine Chism, of Elm Street in Smithville, received the fatal injuries when the EF5 tornado destroyed her home and the rest of Smithville, according to Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley.
Chism was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, where she was pronounced dead of multiple trauma at 10:20 a.m. Friday, Gurley said.
Statewide, 37 people died in the severe storms that moved through the state in late April.
Pickle Funeral Home of Amory is handling funeral arrangements for Chism.
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