Anita L. Smith

ANITA L. SMITH, 78, of Maumelle concluded her valiant battle with leukemia on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. Anita departed this life peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours with her husband by her side and her family near. Anita loved her creator and Triune God, and she loved Christ Jesus for dying for her on the cross. She called on the Holy Spirit to bring wisdom and guidance to her daily life, and she exhibited her faith through the strength, grace, and humor she displayed in facing the end of her earthly journey. Anita loved, probably in this order, life itself with its simple pleasures, her animals, her children and grandchildren, her extended family, her many friends, and her husband of 40 years. In a category of its own she loved the Arkansas Razorbacks. Anita will be missed by all who knew and loved her, particularly the Razorback football and basketball coaching staff, who, for years, she tirelessly assisted with vocal advice from row eight on the 50 yard line, as well as her seat in Bud Walton Arena near the Razorback bench. Although they did not always seem to follow her advice, she was always faithful, nonetheless, in making it available to them, as well as to the officials. Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ola Cloud Hewett; and her long time, favorite dog, Scruffy. She is survived by her husband, Edgar, who cared attentively for her in her final days, and who loved her dearly in all of her days; son and daughter in law, Scott & Alisa Lancaster of Batesville; son, Eric Smith of Maumelle; step-children, Michael Smith and Beth Holley (Joey) of Alabama; grandchildren, Brittnam Lancaster and Chelsea Lancaster of Searcy; several step-grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; and a host of loving friends. Anita's wishes were to be cremated and for her ashes, along with Scruffy's, to be buried between the graves of her parents at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Newport, Ark. A memorial service will be held on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Maumelle, with visitation and fellowship to follow in the Activities Building. A graveside service will be held the following morning on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Newport, Ark. Arrangements are being handled jointly by Roller McNutt funeral home of Conway, Ark. and Roller Crouch funeral home of Batesville, Ark. Anita's family wishes to express their heartfelt and loving thanks to her wonderful and caring physician, Dr. Omar Kahlil and his staff, and the outstanding nursing staff on 3B of Baptist Hospital Springhill, all of whom Anita came to love as they cared for her. Because of Anita's love and devotion to animals, the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72210 or the Independence County Humane Society, P.O. Box 3477, Batesville, Ark. 72503, both of which are non-euthanizing facilities, in Anita's name. Online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.