Larry LeVaughn Smith

Larry LeVaughn Smith, of Helena, Arkansas passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Larry was born February 15, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee, and owned Smith's Grocery in Holly Grove from 1979-1995. He was also a contractor and did three tours in Iraq, where he supervised construction crews for KBR and others. Larry was a noted photographer from an early age, and his work and love of travel took him to many places near and far, including the desert in Dubai, the Mediterranean Sea in Spain, an ancient Buddhist Temple in Thailand, and his beloved Caribbean Sea. He had a lifelong love of reading and enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking and his devoted pets. Larry was known for his generosity, which included anonymously paying for the funeral of a friend; helping a younger brother attend an expensive college; bringing home Persian rugs and exotic trinkets as gifts from the Middle East; or having a special knack for picking out the perfect Christmas gifts. Larry was known for his sense of humor. When learning that his Iraqi work crew loved his "farmer hat", he had several hats—with funny logos only Americans would understand—shipped to Iraq. He took a group photo to share with his email list. Larry made a difference in two lives when he recognized a young soldier from Holly Grove and helped him reunite with a High School sweetheart. Larry knew the soldier's former girlfriend had tragically lost a teenage son. The two were later reunited and married, and today she credits Larry for "saving her life." Larry likewise found himself in a rekindled school romance, when he became reunited with Patrice McGough. They were married and lived several happy years together. At the end, Patrice never left his side through many sleepless nights in the hospital. Also at his side were his daughter Sarah and son Jason, as well as his parents and brothers. Larry is survived by his wife Patrice McGough Smith; his parents LeVaughn A. Smith and Joann D. Smith of Helena; a son, Jason A. Smith (Tracy) of Humnoke; a daughter, Sarah S. Hersh (Angel) of Daytona Beach, Florida; a stepson, Foster Mitchell (Brittany) of Helena; six grandchildren; brothers, Brett S. Smith and Kevin A. Smith (Virginia), of Helena; five nephews and nieces; and a very special dog named Taz. The public is invited to join the family at a catered memorial reception held in Larry's honor this Friday, March 4, from 4:00-7:00pm, at Bailey Maes, located at 209 Rightor Street in Downtown Helena (Ohio and Rightor) in the Backside Room. A private graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 5th at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the "Larry L. Smith Memorial Fund" at the Humane Society of the Delta, PO Box 3218, West Helena, Ark, 72390, or made online at http://www.humanesocietyofthedelta.org/ (please mention Larry's Memorial). Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.