Mose Smith III

MOSE SMITH III, age 84, of Little Rock, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. He was born Oct. 18, 1929 in Memphis, Tenn. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mose Smith Jr. and Lucille Maddox Smith; and a brother, John M. Smith all of Fort Smith, Ark. He graduated from Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. While at Andover he served as president of his fraternity and as manager of the baseball team. He was also chosen by the Headmaster to spend the summer after graduation in the U.K. on a scholarship sponsored by the English Speaking Union. This program allowed school boys from the U.S. to tour England, Scotland and Wales staying with families in each town. After graduation from Andover in 1948 he entered Yale University in New Haven, Conn. His roommates all four years at Yale were classmates from Andover, Lincoln Cornell, Richard Coulson and John McDonald, creating friendships that have lasted a lifetime. He joined a singing group called the Society of Orpheus & Bacchus for two years and as a senior he was chosen to be a member of the renowned Whiffenpoofs, who elect new members each year from the junior class. His Whiffenpoof group traveled to Little Rock from all over the U.S. to help him celebrate his 50th and 60th birthday. He served a term as president of The Fence Club, and as a senior was elected to one of Yale's secret societies; WOLFS HEAD. He received his BA degree from Yale in 1952 and returned to Arkansas to attend the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, and graduated in 1956. He began his residency in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department the year it moved to the West Markham location. After his internship year, he served in the Medical Corp, U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant. He entered in to private practice in Little Rock in July 1962 having never missed a day of work until he retired in July 2000. He was a member of the staff of St. Vincent Infirmary, Baptist Medical Center, Doctor's Hospital, University Hospital and Cleburne County Hospital. He was appointed Associate Clinical Professor of the OB/GYN Department at U of A Medical Center. He served two terms as Chairman of the OB/GYN Department at St. Vincent Infirmary was a member of the state and county medical societies and President of the GYN Society. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology and served two terms as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Arkansas Section. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology, having been initially certified in 1965. Dr. Smith was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and served two terms on the vestry. He was also elected twice to the school board at Pulaski Academy during its early founding. He was also a member of the Country Club of Little Rock. He enjoyed fly fishing, golf, skeet & trap shooting with his brother. Upon his retirement in 2000 he moved to Dallas with his wife Sarah Jane, where they could be close to the grandchildren and closer to their home in Colorado. In Dallas he attended St. Michaels and All Angel's Episcopal Church with many old acquaintances from Yale. He volunteered in Palliative Care at Parkland Hospital and also enjoyed being a recording reader for Reading Resource. He returned home to Little Rock due to declining health and seeking care from his own medical doctors. In their younger years Mose and Sarah Jane loved to dance. They traveled with friends and family and enjoyed many adventures. This made their life always interesting and fun. To the very end they have appreciated the kindness of all the many thoughtful friends that have shown their love through Mose's illness. He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Sarah Jane; their son, Lincoln Mose Smith; daughters, Susan Schallhorn, Quinton Smith, Lucille Leach; sons, Reid Smith and Mose Smith; eight grandchildren; nephews, John Smith Jr. and John Hayes; and nieces, Holly Hayes and Heather Hayes. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to Hospice Home Care, 12120 Colonel Glenn Rd., Ste. 6400, Little Rock, Ark., 72210 or UAMS-Throat Cancer, 4301 W. Markham St, #716, Little Rock, Ark., 72205. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.