Velbert Leon Smith Sr.

Velbert Leon Smith Sr. of Russellville, decided to spend the last day of deer season (December 6, 2020) on a stand behind the Pearly Gates with his wife, Ruth. Born to Elza and Winnie Smith in Flemington MO on October 29, 1936, “Smitty” was an avid archer who won the Southern Sectional Title in the Bare-bow division and placed fifth on the national level. An original 1965 employee of Con Agra Foods in Russellville, he retired as their purchasing agent in 1995. He was a member of the Christian Union Church at Nail. Velbert was predeceased by his parents, his wife Ruth Carney Smith and a brother Harold Smith. Mourning his passing are his children: Dana (Steve) Gann of Russellville; Velbert (Darlene) Smith Jr of San Bernardino, CA; Valerie Allman of Russellville, and Benny (Ruth) Smith of Van Buren; his grandchildren Mary (Forrest) Patterson, Houston TX; Joshua (Jennifer) Smith Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Melissa (Nick) Stone, Russellville; Carl Gann, Russellville; Chelsey (Ryan) Horn, Russellville; Chris Acevedo of Japan; Fatima and Kevin Cortez, Van Buren, and the only person who still called him Velbert, his brother, Joe (Mary)Smith, Cherry Valley, CA. Smitty’s greatest treasures were his great grandchildren Madelyn and Emersyn Smith, and Karis Wolcott. Visitation will be held at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Nail Arkansas on December 12 at 1:00 followed by the funeral at 2:00. The family would like to extend thanks to Peyton Hill for her extraordinary love, care and compassion for our father. Miss Lillian, you are too young to know how much Paw loved holding you on his knee. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you plant a flower or tree (please, no irises). in dad’s memory. Plant it somewhere that you won’t have to mow around it.