Mary Agnes Harrison

Mary Agnes Harrison Smith, 81 of Murfreesboro, Arkansas passed away on July 25, 2013 in a Little Rock hospital, after a lengthy illness with multiple Myoloma. She was born March 15, 1932 to W.D. and Agnes Hughes Harrison at Murfreesboro, Arkansas. After graduating salutatorian from Murfreesboro High School, she attended Southern State College in Magnolia, AR, and graduated in 1957 from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia with a B.S.E. degree in Home Economics, after teaching at Murfreesboro High School and Glenwood High School she joined her husband in their private business, Smith's Locker Plant and Grocery in 1962. Mary was a member of and past president of the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce. She was the first woman elected to the Murfreesboro School Board and served ten years. She served ten years on the West Central Arkansas Private Industry Council, she has been a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Hot Springs Diamond lakes Tourism Region, and a charter member and president of Diamond Gateway Tourism Assn. In 1981 Mary was appointed to represent Pike County on the Selective Service Board until 1991. She was a member of the Pike County Republicans Committee and past chairman. She also represented Pike County on the State GOP committee. She served as commissioner for 10 years on the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, has been a Sunday School Teacher for many years and served as youth director for ten years. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her parents, and one son, James William Smith. Survivors include her husband of 58 years James Thomas Smith of Murfreesboro, Ark.; a son Robert Thomas Smith and wife Muffin of Little Rock, Ark.; a daughter, Mary Carolyn Bailey and husband Richard of Little Rock, Ark.; four grandchildren Harrison Smith Davis, William Clayton Davis, Samuel Richard Bailey, and Miles Christian Campbell Smith; one sister-in-law, Mildred Harrison of Garland, Texas; a niece, Joyce Washburn of Phoenix, Ariz.; a nephew, Larry Harrison of Garland, Texas; and one special friend Jane Terrell of Murfreesboro, Ark. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Tena Murphy, Dr. Joe Pevahouse, and Dr. Lawrence Mendelsohn. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, with Bro. Jerry Hill officiating, with burial to follow in Springhill Cemetery, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro. In lieu of flowers a fund has been established at the First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro to provide a memorial garden in her memory. You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com.