Obituaries

James Rogers Smith

Photo of James Rogers Smith
James Rogers Smith, 85, died on June 6, 2010. He was born in Stephens, Ark. on Nov. 19, 1924 to James Lewis Smith and Lillie Rogers Smith. Jimmy, as we all called him, contracted polio at age two and was unable to walk without crutches thereafter. He became an avid reader and an exceptional student, graduating from Stephens High School in 1943 and Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas in 1947. He stated his greatest regret, resulting from his disability, was being unable to serve with his contemporaries in World War II. After college, Jimmy returned to Stephens, Ark. and established an insurance agency. Later, he managed the D. W. Harrell Company in Camden, Ark., which later merged with Campbell and Company. Her served as an executive there until his retirement in 1990. In 1987, Jimmy and his nephew Paul R. Smith, formed a partnership in a restaurant in Camden. Although the business venture failed, the relationship between Jimmy and Paul proved to be of great mutual benefit. As Jimmy's health began to deteriorate as a result of post-polio syndrome, he and Paul designed and built a home in Camden which provided an apartment for Jimmy and enabled him to live comfortably and be cared for by Paul and his family until his death. Jimmy is survived by his brother, Lewis D. Smith and his wife, Jenny Smith of Little Rock; two nephews, Lewis D. Smith, III of Santé Fe, N.M. and Paul Rogers Smith and his wife, Kate Smith of Camden; and great niece, Paula Smith Kish of Washington, D. C.; and great nephew, James Lewis Smith, II. Paul, Kate and James Smith extend their deepest appreciation to Erma Davis, Kim Hanson, Tanya Stith and most recently, Tonya Martin for all their love and care of Uncle Jimmy over the past several years. Because of these fine caretakers, we were able to keep Uncle Jimmy at home with his family. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Stephens First United Methodist Church. To sign the online guest register visit, www.proctorfuneralhome.com.

Published June 8, 2010

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