H. Buford Smith Jr.

H. Buford Smith Jr., 93, a true son of Russellville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 20, 2012 in the same house in which he was born on March 10, 1919. He was the only son of H. Buford Smith Sr. and his beloved mother, Mary Tucker Smith. Buford was a member of the class of 1937 at Russellville High School and attended both Arkansas Polytechnic College (ATU) and the University of Arkansas. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Following the war, Buford worked with his father at the Little Model Cafe in downtown Russellville. In 1947 he founded The Buford Smiths' Furniture and Antiques where he served the needs of new and established families alike. He was a life member of the Arkansas Antique Dealers Association Inc., Lifetime member of the Pope County Historical Association, Lifetime board member of Potts Inn Historical Commission, member of the Russellville Arts Center, member of the board of Main St. Russellville, the Russellville Symphony Guild, and a co-founder of the Oakland Cemetery Commission. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Russellville where he was baptized on Easter Sunday in 1931. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by first cousins, Jim Tucker and wife Kay, Russellville and Marian Mussett, Midland, TX and numerous 2nd and 3rd cousins. Funeral will be at 1 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2012 at First Christian Church. Rev. Dan Hoover will officiate. Additional comments and memories of Buford's life will be shared by Thomas W. "Tommy" Henry and Joe Rook, President AADA, Betsy McGuire, Van Tyson and David Vance. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service. A visitation will be held at Buford's home (418 East 5th Street) from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Memorials may be made to the Potts Inn Museum, 15 Second Street, Pottsville, Ark. 72858; the Oakland Cemetery Fund, 203 South Commerce, Russellville, Ark. 72801 or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Judy Murphy, Pope County Memorial Chair, 126 Lakeview Circle, Russellville, Ark. 72802. Online obituary and guestbook may be found at www.humphreyfuneral.com.