Shelby W. Smith of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at the age of 87. He was born Sept. 6, 1932, in Waldenburg, Arkansas, the son of Henry Owen and Zadie Byrd Phariss Smith.
Mr. Smith was a graduate of Weiner High School, and a United States Army veteran, who served during the Korean War. He was a self-employed farmer and owner of Nuline Portable Buildings, retiring in 1993.
Mr. Smith was a 32 degree Mason and involved in the Newport Jaycees. He enjoyed farming, watching the WWE, and loved to dance. Known as Big Daddy, this loving, kind, generous man loved spending time with his family and friends.
Mr. Smith was a member of the Holden Avenue Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of forty-seven years, Sue Ann (Causey) Smith; two sons, David Oneal Smith and Joey William Smith; one sister, Catherine Fulbright; grandson-in-law, Jason Howard; and his parents.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Vickie (McSwain) Smith of the home; one daughter, Melissa Ann Hodo of Newport; two sisters, Vonnie Sutherland and Mazel Prince, both of Grubbs; six grandchildren, Chris Hodo and wife, Laura, of Alexander, Kathryn Hopkins and husband, Chad, of Newport, Ross Hodo and wife, Cassidy, of Newport, Rachel Howard of Tuckerman, Jessica Cooper and husband, Ace, of Weiner, and Joseph Smith of Jonesboro; ten great-grandchildren, Annie Kate, Henry, Chloe, Rylee, Jenna Grace, Grayson, Keeley, Carver, Allie Peyton, and Miles Eli; several nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with interment in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Shane Williams, Cletus Thompson, Chris Hodo, Ross Hodo, Joseph Smith, and Chad Hopkins. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Landis, Cartie Reisenbaum, and Bobby Joe Hutchinson. Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
