Fay G. Smith

Fay G. Smith, 64, passed away Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Funeral Arrangements were handled by Griffin-Steele Funeral Service. A family graveside in Jennie Baptist Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life service was held Tuesday, September 14, at the Lakeside united Methodist Church with Brother Tony Hill officiating. Mrs. Smith was born August 9, 1946 in Chicot County to John Monroe Gilliam and Iva Louise Gilliam. She married Doyne Smith on September 24, 1966 in Lake Village; they were happily married for 44 years. She is preceded in death by her parents John Monroe Gilliam and Iva Louise Gilliam. She is survived by her husband Doyne Smith of Lake Village; three daughters Rosa Cingolani of Lake Village, Ark., Ariel Smith of Lake Village, Ark., and Valery Burns of Beebe, Ark., four grandchildren, Walker Cingolani, Haleigh Cingolani, Brandi Burns, and Cody Burns; two son-in-laws, Robert Cingolani and Vernon Burns; sister Louise Pieroni of Lake Village, Ark. and brother David Gilliam of Fairfax, Va. Mrs. Smith graduated from Lakeside High School and attended The University of Tennessee where she was classically trained in music and Memphis State where she received her Bachelor of Science in $Education. Fay was always available to lend a helping hand whether it is on the family farm or within the community. Over her years, she was involved in many community clubs including Heritage Club, Christian Bible Study, Chicot County Literacy, and Leader of Brownie Troop 176. She was proud to be a lifelong member of the Lakeside United Methodist Church where she held many positions. Fay served as the choir director for 27 years, held many positions on the church board, President of United Methodist Women, Sunday School Superintendent, and Community Prayer Chain Leader. Mrs. Smith loved being a teacher. During her time as a teacher, she taught at Eudora Public School, Greenville Christian School, Ross Van Ness, and Lakeside Public School District. She retired after 42 years of teaching only to return back to volunteer at St. Mary's Catholic School this year. In 1989, she was named Arkansas Teacher of the Year and Who's Who among America's Teachers in 1994. Along with her husband, Fay also gladly took on the responsibility of being a foster parent. In 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Smith were awarded the first Lake Village Community Service Award by the Lake Village Chamber of Commerce. They spent the next 13 years sharing not only their home but also their love to numerous children. When she wasn't busy with meetings and teaching, you could always find Fay with Doyne behind home plate at the ballpark. She always said that having daughters and grandchildren that played sports, as well as being a teacher, she always had babies playing. Seldom did you meet Fay that she didn't have a smile, open arms, and a kind word for you. She loved life, her family, her church, and her friends. She was our wife, our mother, our sister, our mentor, our biggest supporter, our friend, our teacher, our prayer warrior, but most of all our ray of light on a gloomy day. We will miss her endless words of encouragement. She will be missed beyond words but we find comfort in knowing we will see her again. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lakeside United Methodist Church to the Fay G. Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 192 Lake Village, Ark. 71653 or to Lake Village Parks & Recreation in memory of Fay G. Smith, P.O. Box 213. Lake Village, Ark. 71653 Arrangements by Griffin-Steele Funeral Service of Lake Village, Ark. Online guestbook: griffinfuneralservice.net.