Shirley Ann Smith

Shirley Ann Smith of Ward passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 at the age of 80. She was born the only child to Von and Gertie Arrington on Oct. 18, 1935 in Rosston (Nevada County) Arkansas. They moved to Little Rock when she was a small child so she could attend the Arkansas School for the Deaf. Shirley married the late Thomas Gerald Smith and together they had two sons, Steve and Gary, before divorcing in the 1970s. Shirley worked at Club Aluminum in Jacksonville, and was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. She lived across the street from her parents, near the school for the deaf, until her mother died in 1998. Shirley moved to Ward to live with her son, Steve and his family in 1998, where she resided until her death. Shirley was preceded in death by both of her parents and her son, Stephen Gerald Smith. She is survived by her son, Gary L Smith, of Sherwood, grandchildren, Zachary Smith and Meredith Smith of Ward, daughter-in-law, Carol Smith of Ward and son-in-law, Bryan Canfield of Sherwood. The Lord also blessed her with many cousins and close friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Shirley's caregiver, Michelle Hooten, for the excellent care she provided. Visitation will be on Monday, February 8 at 10 a.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road, followed by an 11 a.m. Celebration of Life service at the church. Burial will follow at 12 noon at Forest Hills Memorial Park, 10200 Hwy 5 North, Alexander, Ark. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.