John Edward Smith

John Edward Smith died July 19, 2015. He was born June 9, 1924 to Bill and Mabel Smith in the Cross Road Community in Prairie County Arkansas. He served in the United States Army, was a Veteran of WWII and was on Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion. He enlisted from the Army into the Arkansas National Guard where he served for 23 years before retiring as a Master Sergeant. He also retired with 37 years of service from the VA at Fort Roots. He was a member of Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church for over 50 years, a member of the Fidelis Class and the XYZ. John and his family had many fond memories of their times at Gardner. He served on various boards and committees over his lifetime and was active in the Medical Clinic ministry until a few years ago. John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Anna Bell Glover Smith; and brother, Thurlo Smith. He is survived by his sons, Rayburn (Tammy) Smith and Jeffery (Sherrie) Smith; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister, Patsy Southard. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church, 1723 Schaer Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114 or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 1501 North Pierce Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Gardner Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Arkansas Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.