John William (Smith) Smith

JOHN WILLIAM SMITH, SR.

Funeral Service for Deacon John William Smith Sr., 85, of Sunshine, Arkansas will be held at 12:00 noon Sunday, February 13, 2022. Service will be held at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church, Wilmot; Rev. Albert Fenceroy officiating.
John was born on September 4, 1936 to Willie and Margaret Hardy Smith in Parkdale, Arkansas. He married Maylize (Whitaker) Smith and to this union six children were born. He passed on January 29, 2022 at his residence in Sunshine. He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Smith, and his mother, Margaret Hardy, also his adopted parents Leon Audrey and Geneva Audrey.
Mr. Smith was a member and deacon of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church for twenty plus years under the leadership of Rev. Albert Fenceroy until his death. He also served under Rev. W. L. Plummer. He was a longtime resident of Parkdale and was a hard working farm hand at Fisher Farms, LLC in Portland, Arkansas.
Deacon Smith was an only child. He enjoyed picking up cans, watching Gunsmoke, and Walker Texas Ranger. He also loved fishing and mowing yards on his riding mower while singing to the Lord.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Maylize Smith; six children, Calvin Whitaker Smith (Shirley) of Hope, AR, Jenetha Stanley of Nashville, AR, Betty Baldwin (James) of Parkdale, AR, John Smith, of Hope, AR, Roy Lee Smith (Akosua) of Fresno, CA, and Joe Ann Fowler (Tracy) of Wilmot, AR; twenty-two grandchildren; and thirty-four great grandchildren. five great great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6-7 p.m. Saturday at Dillard Funeral Home, 137 Front Street, Eudora, AR.
Burial will take place in Jim Smith Cemetery, Wilmot. Service entrusted to Dillard Funeral Home, 137 Front Street, Eudora. .

NOTICE: Attendees of the funeral are required to wear mask and respect social distance.