Hershel Ray Smith, age 88, entered into peace on this day, March 15, 2025 Hershel was born April 13, 1936, to Harvey and Zola Smith, one of 20 children. Hershel was a man who loved God and his family. He was saved at an early age and spent his life serving the Lord. He was a long-time member of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Hershel was baptized on July 29, 1956, and was ordained as a deacon on November 5, 1972.
Hershel worked many jobs in his life to take care of his family. His last job was with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department where he retired after 30 years. Hershel was the kind of man that was always loving and willing to help anyone in need. Hunting was a sport he had a passion for, whether it be deer, turkey, rabbit, or squirrel; when it was that season you could always find him in the woods, gun in hand and his camo on.
He married the love of his life, Darlene (Pitts) on November 19, 1955. They were blessed with 64 years of a loving and happy marriage. Out of this wonderful marriage came three children; Leland, Susie, and Connie. He was always there for his family; his grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids were his pride and joy. Hershel will be greatly missed by his family and a host of friends.
Hershel is preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Smith; parents, Harvey and Zola Smith; granddaughter, Ann Lawrence; grandson, Bob Perez; and eleven brothers and sisters.
He leaves behind a son, Leland Smith of Fifty-Six; two daughters, Susie (Lawrence) Boaz of Cabot and Connie (Gary) Williams of Mountain View; six grandkids, Brad Lawrence of Sherwood, Mandy Smith of Fifty Six, Heather Perez of Cabot, Andy (Tavie) Williams of Mountain View, Dillian Smith of Mountain View, Derek (Amber) Smith of Onia; fourteen great-grandkids, Bayle (Chris) Penn of Sherwood, Leah Lawrence of Sherwood, Dalton (Alyssa) Lawrence of Sherwood, Skyler (Joseph)Blake of Mountain View, McKenzie Mitchell of Mountain View, Tarynn (Ryan) Collins of Little Rock, Jadynn Perez of Cabot, Keathlynn Perez of Cabot, Aydn Williams of Batesville, Rowan Williams of Mountain View, Raeden Smith of Bergman, Trestyn Smith of Onia, Westyn Smith of Onia, Tatum Smith of Onia; eight great-great-grandkids, Sadie and Micha Penn, Oliver and Noah Lawrence, Canann, Langston, and Dallas Hershel Blake, Aloura Mitchell; two brothers, five sisters and a host of family and friends.
Rest in peace Hershel Ray.
Revelation 21:4 ”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things have passed away.”
Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 1:00-2:00 PM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Hershel Ray will be laid to rest at Spoon Flat Cemetery in Fifty-Six, Arkansas. Brother Gary Ragland and Brother Daryl Pitts officiating.
Pallbearers are Brad Lawrence, Andy Williams, Derek Smith, Dillian Smith, Tony Trammell, and Trestyn Smith.
Honorary pallbearers are Dalton Lawrence, Mandy Smith, and Heather Perez.
Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas is in charge of the arrangements.
