Brenda Kay Smith

Brenda Kay Hackelton Smith, 70, of Carlisle, Ark., passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Brenda was born on July 11, 1950, to William (Bill) and Gladys Voumard Hackelton in Stuttgart, Ark. Brenda was a 1968 graduate of Stuttgart High School. After high school Brenda began her banking career that spanned over 30 years and numerous financial institutions. Brenda retired from First State Bank in Lonoke, Ark., in 2014. After retirement Brenda enjoyed spending time with her family and loved working in her yard, she called it her therapy. Brenda was a member of First Baptist Church in Carlisle, Ark. She was a Sunday School teacher and AWANA teacher there. She loved the Lord with all her heart and leaned on Him everyday. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Gladys Hackelton and her previous husband, John Branan. Brenda is survived by her husband of 19 years, Ray Smith; three sons, Chad Cooper (Elizabeth) of Maumelle, Ark., Johnny Branan of Jacksonville and John Ed Branan of the home. She also is survived by her brother, Ronnie (Paula) Hackelton of Hazen, and two step-sons, Kevin (Kim) Smith of Ward, and Brad (Monica) Smith of Albuquerque, N.M., and two step-daughters, Melanie (Bo) Gross of Brighton, Tenn., and Leslie Branan of Carlisle. Brenda is also survived by her 14 grandchildren that she dearly loved, Kayla Alsbrook, Carter Cooper, Katelyn Smith, Gabriella Smith, Gracen Cooper, Noah Smith, Lydia Alsbrook, Johnny Ray Smith, Dalton Alsbrook, Ava Smith, Collin Cooper, luke Smith, Rhett and Zeke Smith. Special sister-in-law; Peggy Holmes and many special friends and two loving nieces, Christi (Kevin) Rounsavall and Wendi (Charles) Stock. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at the First Baptist Church in Carlisle. Visitation will be from 1:30–2:30 prior to the service. Burial will be in the Carlisle Cemetery. The family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church in Carlisle. Online obituary at www.westbrookfuneralhomehazen.com.