Jentie Lea Smith Chappell

Jentie Lea Smith Chappell, 93, of Evergreen, Colo., passed away on November 10, 2021, after a brief illness, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood, Colo.. She was born March 23, 1928, in Carroll County, Ark., the only daughter of Efton and Jentie Faye Coxsey Smith. All records and an amended birth certificate state that Jentie Lea was born in 1929, though her original birth certificate states that she was born in 1928. There is also debate on her birthdate as well, as she was born at midnight. The doctor stated that it was March 22nd, and her mother, Jentie Faye, stated that it was March 23rd. March 23rd is the official date. On August 19, 1951, she married King S. Chappell, and they had two daughters. He preceded her in death in 2019. They were married for 67 years. At the age of 14, Jentie attended a boarding school, School of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo., where she graduated from high school. After receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas in education, she taught several grades at the elementary level. Third grade was her favorite grade to teach. She received her master's in education as a reading specialist. After she retired from teaching, she and her husband moved to the family farm and raised beef cattle for several years. She attended several churches in her lifetime, mostly Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Survivors include her two daughters, Lisa Hankins of Keller, Texas, and Linda Chappell of Evergreen, Colo.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Russell Smith of Alpena, Ark., Jewell F. Smith of Green Forest, Ark., Don Smith of Alpena, Ark., and Burl Duane Smith of Fayetteville, Ark., and many other relatives and many dear friends. Two other brothers preceded her in death, James E. Smith, and Lloyd N. Smith. Jentie Lea was the third woman in her family to have the name Jentie. Her grandmother was Jentie Wann Coxsey, and her mother was Jentie Faye Coxsey Smith, going by Faye. Origin of the name Jentie is unknown to the family but may originate from Norway. Memorial services are pending for the Spring of 2022 at the family farm in Alpena, Ark., depending on Covid restrictions at that time.