ETTA GILLIS SMILEY, 85, of North Little Rock, Ark., passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. She was born on Wednesday, June 20, 1928 in Kemper County, Miss. to the late Malcolm and Emma Bates Gillis. Etta was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church and taught for many years in Mississippi and Louisiana and retired from teaching at Indian Hills Elementary School in North Little Rock.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Lea Smiley Sr.; her daughter-in-law, Ramona Smiley; her son-in-law, Rick Smith; and one brother, Joe Gillis. She is survived by one daughter, Jo Karen Hudson of Conway, Ark.; two sons, Jo Karen's twin brother, William Lea (Janna) Smiley Jr. of Conway, and Robert Gillis Smiley of Sherwood, Ark.; five grandchildren, Laura Campbell, Shanna Smiley, Russell Smiley, Kara Michelle Mincy and Cynthia Smiley; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Malcolm Gillis of Humble, Texas, Dave (Barbara) Gillis of Lancaster, Texas, Guy (Nancy) Gillis of Many, La.; and three sisters, Corin Gibbs of Pachuta, Miss., Billie Fugitt of Morton, Miss., and Bobbie Poston of Spartanburg, S.C.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at Park Hill Baptist Church, 201 East C Ave., North Little Rock, Ark., with Dr. Ken Shaddox officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. (501-791-7400).
Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.

Published January 6, 2014