Paulette Smith

Paulette Smith, 59, of Fouke died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, in Lonoke County, Arkansas, from injuries received in an auto accident. Mrs. Smith was born at Manila but had resided in the Texarkana and Fouke area for the past 17 years. She had served as superintendent of Fouke School District since 1999, but was a teacher and principal at Fouke prior to the superintendency. She completed undergraduate work from the Institute of Foreign Studies in Vichy, France, Wichita State University in Kansas and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She completed graduate and post-graduate studies at Arkansas State University, University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and Texas A&M, Texarkana. Mrs. Smith has spent 22 of her 38 years of educational experience in administrative positions at the elementary, middle, and senior high levels. She has served as performance evaluator and staff development coordinator at the district level and as a contracted consultant for education service cooperatives. Outside of education, Mrs. Smith has enjoyed some work in business and continued to serve as auctioneer for charitable organizations. She held a strong belief and commitment to civic and service organizations and is currently the Fouke Lions Club President. Some of Mrs. Smith's honors include Outstanding Alumnus Award from Arkansas State University, Outstanding Service club President from Crossett, Arkansas, Distinguished Leadership Award from the Arkansas Leadership Academy, and the 2003 Community Service Award from Sidney Lodge No. 455.

She was involved with various organizations and was presently serving on the Association of School Administrators Legislative Committee for Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability, Citizens for a Better Community, Southwest Arkansas Educational COOP, and past President of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Board. Mrs. Smith, an advocate for life long learning, shared a vision for education. She acclaimed to have a passion for providing appropriate and challenging learning experiences with school, family, and community involved in the process. Mrs. Smith was an active member of Walnut Church of Christ, Texarkana, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mazy Shedd Robbins, and a son, Paul Jack Wagner.

Survivors include her husband, James Smith of Fouke; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Andi Wagner of Monticello; a daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Leighton White of Vilonia; her father, Paul Robbins of Manila; three sisters, Robin Baugher of Manila, Danna Glass of Little Rock, and Ann Kelley of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Katlyn Wagner, Paul Michael Wagner, Micah Lynn Wagner, Presley Jean Wagner, and Lucas Paul White, and one soon to be granddaughter.

Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Walnut Church of Christ with Dr. John Cannon officiating. Graveside services were held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Manila City Cemetery, under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home, Arkansas.

The family requests anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial consider the Fouke Schools, P.O. Box 20, Fouke, AR 71837.

Online registration is at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.