Morean Willijean Smith

Morean Willijean Smith, age 95, of Benton, left this world headed for the Pearly Gates on May 21, 2017. She was born on March 13, 1922 to Stewart and Kance Harrison-McCutcheon. She was world-renowned for three things: a biting sense of humor, her cooking, and a slight lack of patience. Morean served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corp in 1943, and worked at Benton High School and the Benton Services Center. After retiring to help raise granddaughter Beth, she turned her baking hobby into somewhat of a spectacle as the pie-maker at Ed and Kay's Restaurant in the 1980s, and became locally famous for her mile-high meringues. We learned many things from her during her 95 years, among them: Never leave a bowl of bacon grease on the stove. Opossums can chew through the wall of a trailer, and you will find one on the stove eating bacon grease in the middle of the night when you need a drink of water. Always buy shoes without trying them on, because they MIGHT fit when you get home. You can never have too many bingo dobbers. If you catch a skunk in a trap next to your house and no one is home to shoot it, boil some water and try to scald it to death. It may smell bad and someone may have to shoot it later anyway, but it's better than running up and down the hall, incoherently screaming obscenities for two hours. Morean leaves behind a daughter, Christina Talley of Little Rock; a son, James T. Gilmore of Vilonia (Tonya); two granddaughters, Beth Johnson of Seattle, Wash. (Tim), and Lauren Gilmore-Strayer of Vilonia (Mike); two great-grandchildren, Kelsey Johnson and Richard Strayer; and several nieces and nephews. Her tenacity, wit, charm, grace (when pertinent), off-color jokes, and unwavering love will not be forgotten. Having lived to the age of 95, she was preceded in death by almost everyone she knew, including her parents; six siblings; husband, Doward; daughter, Billie Wallis; two nieces; and most of her friends. She was a tough old bird and will be sorely missed, but we hope she is now making pies in the sky for Billie, Smitty, and "Mama." We love you, Mo. Visitation will be held at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Ashby Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at 1 p.m., with burial following at New Rosemont Cemetery in Benton. The family would like to give special thanks to Cindy Johnson for her kindness, support, and devoted friendship, and to the crew at Baptist Medical Center. On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.