Lorene Billings Smith

Lorene Billings Smith, 93, of Stamps, Arkansas died at home on March 9, 2016. She was born on September 30, 1922 and raised on Bayou Meta and in Humphrey, Arkansas. Her parents were Gladys Huett Billings and William Shannon Billings. She had two brothers, the late Herbert Billings, and Arnold Billings, as well as a half-sister Jan Lord. She married John Woodrow Smith in 1941 and began a life centered on her family. She was married to Woodrow for over 67 years, until his death in 2010. Lorene was a full-time homemaker and mother. Her children remember her as devoted to their upbringing—a consummate homeroom mom, Brownie Scout sponsor, and school volunteer, as well as a fixture of the community. She was also active in the First Baptist Church of Stamps. In her personal life, she was a creative homemaker, talented seamstress, and enthusiastic gardener. She loved her life on the farm, where she enjoyed hosting friends and family and fishing on the ponds, one dug and stocked with fish just for her! She was an excellent Southern cook, inspiring many to try to replicate that "special something" she added to her dishes. Lorene and her husband, Woodrow, took many opportunities to travel widely and spent a number of seasons in southern Florida. The couple always found their way back to Lake DeGray, where they spent summers—along with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren—navigating the waters, skiing, fishing, and celebrating life. In her later years, Lorene took many sight-seeing adventures across the U.S. She is remembered as an elegant Southern lady, with a great love and devotion to her family and community. She also had a knack for making all occasions special! Lorene is survived by her two children, John Woodrow Smith Jr., and his wife Carol, of Stamps; and Gloria Smith Blakney, and her husband Gary, of Little Rock. She was the grandmother of the late Brett Blakney; Laura Smith Curtis (and her husband Alan) of Birmingham, Alabama; John Daniel Smith (and his wife Kerry) of Stamps, Arkansas; and Jane Anne Blakney-Bailey (and her husband Brendon) of Little Rock, Arkansas. She was adored by eight great-grandchildren-Emma, Jack, and Luke Curtis; Kash and Kate Smith; and Izzy, Liam, and Elijah Bailey. Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home in Stamps, on Friday, March 11, 6-8 p.m. The Funeral will be at Smith Funeral Home on Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by the interment at Columbia Cemetery in Waldo. Online registration is available at www.aosmithfuneralhome.com.