Mrs. Irene Smith

Gladys Irene Smith, 88, of Lonoke, passed from this life, June 25, 2010 at her home in Lonoke, Arkansas. Gladys was born April 1, 1922 in DeWitt, Arkansas and lived her entire life in the Bayou Meto, Furlow and Cabot areas. She was the daughter of the late John Santa Fe Stocks and Ida B. Johnson Stocks. November 4, 1939 Gladys married John Bailey Smith, Jr. They were happily married for 64 years and together, Gladys and J.B. raised two sons, Harold Lynn and Mike. Gladys had a strong faith in God and was a member of First Baptist Church in Cabot, Arkansas for 63 years. Gladys’ memory was taken from her, but she never forgot how to pray and sing the old gospel songs she grew up with. Her family was of utmost importance in her life and she received great joy from each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful Granny and a one of a kind mother-in-law. In fact, although she never had a daughter, she treated her daughters-in-law as if they were her own. Gladys worked alongside J.B. milking cows in their dairy for many years. Later, she worked for Young’s Department Store, Dr. Gary Hestir and as a teller for The Bank of Cabot. She was a people person and made life long friends from people she met while working with the public. Many can remember Gladys working in her yard well into her later years. She was often interrupted in her yard work to be asked if she needed help. Those kind-hearted souls didn’t know our Granny very well. She could outwork most half her age. Her family nicknamed her the ‘energizer bunny’ and she lived up to that name until her last breath. Gladys is preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.B. Smith Jr.; brothers, James Earl and Joseph Clyde; sisters, Cordell Harrell and Velma Runnells; and son, Harold Lynn Smith. She is survived by sisters, May Bell Shemwell, of Little Rock and Helen Jackson, of Bastrop, LA; her son, Mike (Rebecca), of Lonoke; daughter-in-law, Jeannie Smith, of Sherwood; grandchildren, Todd (Michelle) Smith, of Lake Dallas, TX, Kristin (Tom) Crowder, of Little Rock, Lindsay Smith, of Fayetteville, Tommy (Cheryl) Sewell, of Springdale, and Alesia (Jay) Duffy, of Sherwood; great-grandchildren, Brady Burger, Wyatt Smith, Camille Crowder, Lauren and Dillon Johnston, and Cole Sewell; great-great-grandchildren, Arabella and Aaden Johnston. Special thanks to her caregivers-especially her ‘angel girl’, Kathy LeAnne. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Arkansas, 10411 West Markham, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 30th at First Baptist Church in Cabot at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Sumner Cemetery, Cabot, Arkansas. The family will receive friends and family Tuesday evening, June 29th at Cabot Funeral Home, Cabot Arkansas from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. Arrangements provided by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.

Mrs. Irene Smith

April 1, 1922 - June 25, 2010