Buel Smith

Buel Smith, 96, a resident of Searcy since 1992, died at his home Thursday, Jan. 31. He was born Nov. 1, 1916, in Sharp County, Ark., the third son of 12 children born to the late Clarence and Blanche Stinnett Smith. He graduated from Sloan Hendrix High School in 1935, where he was an outstanding athlete. He played league baseball until the early 1950s. A member of the College Church of Christ, he had been a strong Christian all of his adult life. He sang for funerals in a quartet in Pocahontas in his 20s and 30s. He served as an elder of the Corning Church of Christ and then the Westridge Church of Christ in Pocahontas until he was 70. He was a charter member of the President's Council at Harding College/Univerity and served on the board of directors of Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould for several years. The owner of Buel Smith Ford Sales in Corning from 1954 until 1977, he became co-owner with his brother, Elwood, of Smith Ford in Pocahontas in 1966, where he continued to work until 1992. He was active in the community as a member of the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Hospital Board, the Savings and Loan Board and the Industrial Board. His wisdom and experience led community leaders, church leaders, family members and numerous friends to seek his counsel. Smith married Jolene Hooton in 1938, and they had six children. Their first child was stillborn in 1940, and Jolene preceded him in death in 1995. Others who preceded him in death were his daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Charles, in 2002, his son, Rick in 2008, and five brothers – Urcell, Clarence Iverson, Elwood, John Ray and Claxton. Children who survive are Suanne Walker and Kay Gowen (Jim) of Searcy and Steve (Carol) Smith of Evanston, Ill. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Eva, of Houston, Texas. He married Madelyn Gregory Elliott Aug. 3, 2000. Survivors also include Madelyn and her three children – David (Len) of Searcy, Greg (Carolyn) of Richmond, Va., and Bonnie Elliott of Austin, Texas. Smith is also survived by two sisters – Vivian Portell of Leawood, Kan., and Hazel Rideout of Attica, Mich. – and four brothers – Rupert of Glennie, Mich., Mason (Polly) of Rogers, Ark., Warren (Joann) of Pocahontas, Ark., and Don (Janet) of Clawson, Mich. One of his greatest roles was that of Grandad to nine grandchildren – Chris (Lynnita) Walker, Joanna (Scott) Raynes, Jamey (Michelle) Gowen, Darren (Rebecca) Gowen, Jennifer (Chad) Floyd, Emily (Bryan) Jobe, Abby Smith, Gabriel Smith and Moriah Smith – and 14 great-grandchildren – Jonathan, Jessica, Joshua and Julia Walker; Shelby, Hunter and Mallory Gowen; Sarah Grace, Caroline and William Raynes; Amelia and Andrew Jobe; and Emma and Hannah Floyd. Also surviving are five step-grandchildren and three step-great grandchildren.

Buel Smith

November 1, 1916 - January 31, 2013