Ronald E. Smith

Ronald Wells Smith, 72, of Benton entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Monday, September 5 at Saline Memorial Hospice in Bryant. He was born in Beebe on May 13, 1944, to Herman and Goldie Smith and was preceded in death by both parents. Mr. Smith graduated from Hope High School in 1962 and Southern State University with a degree in Accounting in 1966. He was elected to "Who's Who in Colleges and Universities" in 1965. During the Vietnam Era, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve as well as on active duty. Mr. Smith was employed as Chief Financial Officer at several hospitals in Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee, and retired as CFO at Quorum Hospital Management in 1996. He was a lifelong Methodist and avid Razorback fan. His favorite pastimes included playing golf, and watching Arkansas professional golfers on television. Left to cherish Ron's memory are his loving wife, Susan Edwards Smith of Benton, brother, Tony C. Smith (Kathleen) of Natchitoches, La., brother-in-law, Ronald Edwards (Sherry) of Camden, sister-in-law, Cynthia Edwards Wright of Hot Springs, nieces, Debbie Ashworth of Fort Worth, Texas, Angela Wineland (Greg) of Brandon, Miss., Laura Kauffman (Brad) of Longview, Texas, Brooke Smith Casey (Shawn) of Forth Worth, Texas, Susannah Wright of Hot Springs, and nephew, Jason Edwards of Camden, as well as numerous cousins and Ron's many loyal friends. A funeral service will be held at Proctor Funeral Home Chapel at 442 Jefferson St. SW in Camden at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 17, 2016, with the Rev. Wade Totty officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family wishes to extend its sincerest thanks to the physicians and staff of Saline Memorial Hospice. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. To sign the online guest register visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.