Ethel Lueken Smith

Ethel Lueken Smith, 82, of Helena, Ark., died July 26, 2011. She was born on November 21, 1928, in Helena, AR to the late John Joseph and Ethel Webb Lueken. She graduated high school from Sacred Heart Academy in Helena. She attended Sienna Catholic College in Memphis, Tenn. and graduated from AR State Teachers College in Conway, where she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha. She married her true love, Herbert Allen Smith on June 12, 1950. Despite having a college degree in English, she never taught in a classroom. Her teaching career was in raising her 11 children, who benefited beyond belief. She and her husband were the owners of the Smith's Shoe Store chain in Eastern AR and Smith's Department Store in Helena. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where she was also a member of St Ann's Circle. All who knew her were touched by her strong, gentle spirit and her incredible faith. She leaves her devoted children, Dreda McElrath (Jerry) of Jackson, Mo., Vicki Trimble (Tommy) of Lawrence, Kan., Frances Crawford, (Kevin) of Bartlesville, Okla., Walter Smith (Cynthia) of Alpharetta, Ga., Mike Smith (Greta) of Collierville, Tenn., Jeff Smith of El Reno, Okla., Julia Shockley (Dean) of Maumelle, Ark., Jennifer McGee (Charlie) of Dewitt, Ark., and daughter-in-law, Lynn Smith-Tacker of Memphis, Tenn., 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and three sons, Herb Smith Jr., Charlie Smith and Glenn Smith. The family would like to thank the staff of Dewitt City Home Health and Hospital, especially Betty Wofford, for their love, care and kindness. Visitation will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday with a rosary following at 7 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena. Pallbearers will be Walter Smith, Mike Smith, Jeff Smith, Kevin Crawford, Tommy Trimble, Jerry McElrath, Charlie McGee and Dean Shockley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Johnny White, Witt Lueken, Mike Ervin, Robert Murry, Gary Kerby and Johnny Ragsdale. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, 124 Columbia St, Helena, Ark. 72342. Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. To sign the on-line register visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.