Thomas "Alan" Smith

Thomas "Alan" Smith, of Hot Springs, found eternal rest on Good Friday, April 2, 2021, in hospice surrounded by his wife and children. Services celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6 at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, located at 155 Section Line Rd. in Hot Springs. Alan was born August 30, 1936, in Lawson, Ark., to Thomas Roland Smith and Ruth Evelyn (Gibson) Smith. He graduated from Parker's Chapel High School in 1954, and attended Southern Stated University. On June 10, 1957, he married the former Martha Rose Jinks of El Dorado, Ark. Alan started his career as a pipe fitter. He then worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for 18 years, rising from installation technician to supervisor. In 1975, he started a restaurant career opening Chicken Country restaurants in Hot Springs, Malvern, Benton, Ft. Smith, and Longview, Texas. In December 1986, Alan and Martha opened Abe's Ole Feedhouse in Lawson, Ark., which ultimately grew to 10 more restaurants of the same name. Alan lived a life to good purpose and resiliency. He was a committed husband, father, brother and relative exuding humor and sincerity to all who knew him. Following the death of his beloved Martha, Alan married Syble Herndon Smith of Hope, Ark., August 31, 2003, with whom he shared love and adventure until his death. The pair were soul mates personifying partnership. They were members of Hot Springs Baptist Church. Alan was an avid golfer; loved to read and write, and had a love for all things artistic. Alan is survived by a daughter and 3 sons and spouses; Glynda Jane (Smith) Smith and Martin Smith of Louisville, Colo., Robert Alan and Gina Smith of Magnolia, Ark., Max Randall and Stevie Smith of Richardson, Texas, and Ricky Jo and Cleotilde Flaquer of Plantation, Fla.; his wife, Syble of Hot Springs; sisters, Diane (Smith) Bubbus of Darndenelle, Ark. and Beverly (Smith) Patterson of Fort Smith; 3 step-children: Rufus Herndon of Fayetteville, Jolyn (Herndon) Stafford of Little Rock, Jennifer (Herndon) Kronenberger of Little Rock. He had 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, and 7 step-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Martha; sister, Francis (Smith) Brack of Houston, Texas; William Smith of El Dorado; and Steven Smith of Mexico. Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com.