James Neill Smith

James Neill Smith, age 89, of McGehee, died peacefully at his home Wednesday, February 11th, 2015. He was born May 5, 1925, in McGehee to Jennie Lee Maier Smith and James Moses Smith. His maternal grandparents, America Jane and Fred Maier, were original settlers of McGehee. He was a retired attorney, having practiced law for many years with his father and brother at Smith and Smith law firm. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, primarily on duty in the South Pacific. James Neill attended the public schools of McGehee for eleven years, where he excelled in several sports playing for the Owls, before graduating in 1944 from Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport, Mississippi. After WWII, he attended Ouachita Baptist University before graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with both undergraduate and law degrees. He was a member of the Arkansas Bar Association, the Lion's Club, McGehee Bank Board of Directors, the McGehee Chamber of Commerce, long-time attorney for Cypress Creek Drainage District and a highly respected member of many other business and civic organizations. James Neill was a third generation member of the First United Methodist Church of McGehee, where his grandfather was an organizing member in 1905. He enjoyed golf, following the Razorbacks and passionately following his children's and grandchildren's sporting and other activities James Neill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Freddy J. Smith and Robert M. Smith, and brother-in-law Richard K. Clem. Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Barbara Gould Smith; children, James Michael Smith and wife Glenda of McGehee, Don Morton Smith and wife Cindy of McGehee, and David Alan Smith and wife Susie of Little Rock; sister, Margaret Jane Clem of Hot Springs, sister-in-law, Nomel Carolyn Smith of Omaha, Nebraska, and sister-in-law, Delma Smith Thompson of Pittsburg, Kansas. He was affectionately known as PeaPaw by his grandchildren, S. Kendall Smith M.D., Elliot Smith, Natalie (Josh) Hite, Taylor Smith, Madeline Smith, and Matthew Smith; and great-grand-twins, Olivia and James Hite all of whom loved and admired him greatly. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 14th, at 1 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2 p.m., both at First United Methodist Church of McGehee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of McGehee or a charity of choice. Arrangements made by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.