Laverne "Smitty" Smith

Laverne James “Smitty” Smith passed quietly on May 4, 2010 at John McClellan VA Hospital in Little Rock surrounded by family. He was 86. Smitty was well known to many and never met a stranger. He enjoyed an exciting and colorful life. He was born on January 16, 1924 in Memphis, Tennessee but reared in Point Deluce, Arkansas on the White River where he learned to hunt and fish and had a lifetime love of the outdoors. The Boy from Point Deluce had a varied and unique professional life as he did everything he ever wanted to do. He pitched in the Minor League for the Memphis Chicks and worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp building the federal fence line that surrounds the White River Wildlife Refuge. He was a patriotic and proud veteran, serving briefly in the US Army before joining the United States Marines and becoming a Drill Instructor. He is a Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a tireless advocate for Veterans and was especially active in fundraising and promoting the Veterans Memorial that now stands beside Lake Willastein in Maumelle. After his years of service, he became an Arkansas State Trooper and personal guard to then Governor Sid McMath. He was a radio announcer and television sports caster eventually having his own outdoors show “Smittys Corner” where he shared hunting and fishing advice as well as entertaining South Arkansas and the Greenville, Mississippi area with his many exploits and predicaments. He later owned Camp Nine Duck Club and helped make Arkansas a Mecca for duck hunters. He later moved to the North Little Rock area and spent many of his senior years at Audubon Point in Maumelle. He was active in the Senior Citizens Center and Cedar Heights Baptist Church. The last two years he attended First Baptist Church in Cabot. He was a member of the Cabot Chapter of the American Legion. Besides a love of hunting and fishing, he also enjoyed a good horserace, a cigar, growing roses and his vegetable garden. He doted on his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son Robert L. Smith of Jacksonville. He left behind a son, Sidney J. Smith of Mountain Home and a daughter, Bonnie Melissa Smith Blackwell of Vilonia. He was blessed in this life with a grandson and six granddaughters, and six great grandchildren. It was Smitty’s wish to be remembered in “the now” as he liked to say, thus there will be no viewing. A memorial service to celebrate his large life in this world and his passing into Heaven will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday at Cedar Heights Baptist Church in North Little Rock. All are welcome. Arrangements are being assisted with by North Little Rock Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 758-1170. Interment into the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock to be announced at a later date. Online obituary and guest register at www.nlrfh.com.

Laverne "Smitty" Smith

January 16, 1924 - May 4, 2010