Nellie R. Smith

Mrs. Nellie Frances Riley Smith, 94, of England, Ark., formerly of Pine Bluff, Ark. and Fort Smith, Ark., died Friday, May 18,2012. She was born in Jonesboro, Ark., Oct. 30, 1917. She was preceded in death by her father, Lon Bird Riley, 1933 and her mother, Eddie Trice Riley, 1972. She was married to Henry Hamilton Smith Jr. on May 3, 1946 for 54 years before his death Dec. 9, 2000. She is also preceded in death by her brother, John Edward Riley in 2003. Nell graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1935. She played tennis, gardened, sewed, enjoyed reading, crosswords and later Sudoku. While in High School she became involved in Rainbow Girls in Fort Smith and was Grand Worthy Advisor for the state of Arkansas from 1937-1938. She was employed by the Fort Smith Senior High School and Junior College until March of 1942. Then she applied for Civil Service and was stationed in Pine Bluff at the Aviation School. Much later she worked for Means and McLellan, Insurance Company and for Coleman, Gantt, Ramsey and Cox until her retirement in 1984. Nell was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where she and her family were founding members. She is survived by one daughter, Polly Smith Brantley (Laudies) of Scott, Ark. and one son, Randall H. Smith (Dee Dee) of Pine Bluff, Ark. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Dow Brantley (Amy) of England, Ark., Drew Brantley (Kristen) of Dallas, Texas, Russell Brantley (Sarah) of Little Rock, Ark., Justin Smith of Albuquerque, N.M., and Lindsey Smith of Alexander, Ark.: four great-granddaughters; Caroline Francis, Virginia Claire, and Ruth Evelyn Brantley of England, Ark. and Catherine Riley Brantley of Little Rock, Ark. Visitation will be from 5-7 at Roller England on Sunday, May 20, 2012. There will be a reception Monday, May 21, 2012 from 10-11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, Pine Bluff, Ark. and the Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. by Rev. Dr. Cheryl Clark. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery immediately following. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 4101 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603 or to your favorite charity. Online guest book : www.rollerfunerlalhomes.com.