Patients, parents, friends and community leaders are expected to take part in a retirement parade for Dr. Debbie Smith on Thursday.

The Vicksburg pediatrician is retiring at the end of the year after 43 years of treating children locally, first at the Street Clinic and now at Merit Health River Region.

The parade begins at 4 p.m., with participants lining up at 2100 Highway 61 North, Vicksburg. Participants are being encouraged to “come honk your horns and bring your signs to show your support for Dr. Smith!”

Afterwards, a reception in her honor will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the hospital. City, county and community officials are expected to attend to honor Smith, who has been a critical member of the Vicksburg medical community for more than four decades.

“The nice thing about being in a practice like Vicksburg is that you have the chart but you also know the family,” Smith said last week, adding that she treats many second- and third-generation patients who have become in many ways like family. She has been invited to graduations and weddings, birthday parties and celebrations. She answers calls the night before weddings and on holidays. And, in her pubic farewell letter she wrote, “The Vicksburg community embraced me and my practice. Little did I know that I would have as wide a range of medical and diagnostic challenges as seen in a big city or academic center or that I would be welcomed by an incredible group of people. Many have become my lifelong friends.”