TERRY SMITH, LOIS - Faulkner County, Arkansas | LOIS TERRY SMITH - Arkansas Gravestone Photos

Lois TERRY SMITH

Bethlehem Cemetery
Faulkner County,
Arkansas

Lionel
Sept 6, 1922 - Apr 15, 2007
Lois
May 27, 1927 - May 5, 2012

Lionel Smith, 84, of the Bono Community surrounded by his adoring family, passed from this world to join his beloved ones awaiting his arrival in heaven on Sunday, April 15, 2007.

Lionel battled lung cancer with great courage and strength. He departed from us with grace and dignity; the same characteristics that earned him the name "Grey Eagle".

The oldest of three sons, Lionel was born to Sam H. Smith and Odell Crump Smith on September 6, 1922. He was raised on a farm in the Bono community north of Conway, AR. Lionel's beloved mother, Odell, died when he was 12 years of age. Being the older protective brother, Lionel's brothers Lyman "E" and Cohen Smith nicknamed him "Big Bud". Today, as has always been, Lyman refers to Lionel as his hero.

Lionel was a descendent of the Gilbert Casharago "Casiraghi" family originally from Genoa, Italy and of the Sam P.C. Smith, Esquire family originally from Wales, England. Lionel's grandfather Sam C. Crump was Cherokee Indian.

Shortly after graduating from Greenbrier High School, Lionel, patriotic to his country and faithful to his fellow man, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a member of the 8th Air Force's, 379th Bombardment group (H) Grand Slam, 526th Bomb Squadron B-17 stationed at Kimbolton Air Field, England. The 379th Bomb Group was the only unit ever awarded the 8th Air Force "Grand Slam", ranking first in the areas bomb groups are graded on. He served as a top turret gunner aboard the B-17 Bomber the "Two Bomb". On November 26, 1943, the crew's 43rd mission, the aircraft was crippled by flak and enemy gunfire on a mission to Bremen, Germany. Five members of the crew bailed out. Lionel and his fellow remaining crewmen rode the plane down near Borger, Holland. Riddled with bullets in his chest, Lionel became a POW of the notorious German prison camp, Stalag 17B in Geniexendorf, Austria. A six foot tall man, Lionel was released weighing 90 lbs. at the war's end on May 2, 1945. Lionel was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his military service to his country, as well as two Presidential Unit Citations for courageous gallantry in combat.

After coming home, Lionel became a well known residential builder in Faulkner County. He also developed and raised one of the finest registered Polled Hereford herds in Arkansas. Lionel's love for his cattle was only surpassed by his love for his devoted family and the land which has been in his family since the mid 1800's. In his final years Lionel's constant companion was his little dog "Jack".

Lionel was preceded in death by his dear parents, Sam Smith and Odell Crump Smith, youngest and loved brother, Cohen Smith, caring daughter-in-law, Sandra Smith, and precious baby granddaughter, Samantha Renea Smith, all from the Bono Community. He is survived by his dear brother, Lyman "E" Smith and wife, Millie of New Orleans, one niece, Mary Joyce of Knoxville, TN, one nephew, Wade Smith of San Diego, CA, and two first cousins, Dutch Rowlett and Reginald Smith.

Lionel departed from his loving family leaving behind his beloved wife, Lois Terry Smith, a union that lasted 64 years, four daughters Linda Lindsay, Sammie Smith, Elsie Barnett and husband Ronnie Barnett, and Mary Hairston and husband Mike Hairston, three sons, Lionel Smith Jr., Willis Smith and wife Mary Alice Smith, and Ricky Smith and wife Jeronda Smith, and seven granddaughters, Nora Smith, Melinda Lindsay-Engelhardt, Robin Smith, Jennifer Hairston, Tracy Hairston, Maegan Bell, and Morgan Smith. The pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are Lionel's ten grandsons, Hershal Allen Smith, Sam Smith, John Wayne Lindsay, Eric Baty, Chris Barnett, Matt Barnett, Donny Smith, Ben Hairston, and Willis Noah Luke Smith and Willis Jonah Leo Smith. Lionel is also survived by eighteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the Village Park Hospice Care staff that helped to care for Dad in his final days.

Memorials may be made to Village Park Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at Bono Baptist Church with Rev. Berry Terry, Rev. Brady McCarley, and Rev. Mike Hairston. A military service will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery.

Visitation is Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway.

------------------

Bono – "Mama we know you were ready to join Daddy in heaven but we will miss you so much. You were our shining light; guiding us through life. Now that flame of yours that shine so bright upon this earth will light up the heavens, warm our hearts and guide our souls to you."

Lois Noretta "Terry" Smith, 84, of the Bono Community, surrounded by her family, passed from this world to be with her beloved ones awaiting her arrival in heaven on Saturday, May, 5, 2012.

Lois had not been feeling well in the past few months and had been telling others that it was time for her to join her beloved husband, Lionel Smith, and her cherished parents, Esther Stone Terry and Virgil Willis Terry, Sr., in heaven. Lois last words upon death were "Where is my Mama?"

Lois was born on May 27, 1927, in Naylor, Arkansas, the 7th child of ten children. Lois was a devoted daughter to her mother and father. "Baby girl", was her father's nickname for her. "Honey" was her mother's. Just a little beyond her 16 birthday, Lois married her husband, Lionel, a union that lasted 64 years. Lois gave birth to four daughters, Linda Lindsay, Elsie Barnett and Mary Hairston; three sons Lionel A. Smith, Willis Smith and Ricky Smith. Lois was a loving mother who worked hard to help her husband, Lionel, support their family. Lois instilled within her children life lessons of knowledge, strength and work ethics.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Virgil Terry, Sr.; her loved four sisters, Willie Bell Heffington, Elsie Franzone, Avaline Brewer and Ione Huie; and four brothers, Billy Terry, Harold Terry, Hardin Terry, and Virgil Terry, Jr.; and daughter-in-law Sandra Smith; and baby granddaughter, Samantha Renea Smith. Lois is survived by her loved and caring brother, Berry Terry and wife, Betty of Decatur, Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lois departed from her loving family leaving behind her 7 children and their spouses;
Ronnie Barnett, Mike Hairston, Mary Smith and Jeronda Smith; 7 granddaughters; Nora Smith, Melinda Lindsay-Engelhardt, Robin Smith, Jennifer Hairston, Tracy Hairston, Maegan Bell and Morgan Smith.

The pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are Lois' 10 grandsons, Hershel Smith, Sam Smith, John Lindsay, Eric Baty, Chris Barnett, Matt Barnett, Donny Smith, Ben Hairston, Noah Smith and Jonah Smith. Lois is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the Conway Regional Hospital staff that helped to make our Mother as comfortable as possible in her passing from this world. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Bono Baptist Church with Rev. Berry Terry. Visitation will be Monday, May 7, 2012, from 6-8 p.m., at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway.

Photo;
R. Rolf
curly.bob@conwaycorp.net

Contributed on 6/7/19 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1272395

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Submitted: 6/7/19 • Approved: 6/12/19 • Last Updated: 6/15/19 • R1272395-G1272393-S3

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