Gwendelene Bernice Smith

Monday, June 10, 2019

Gwendelene Bernice Smith, 88, of Manila, widow of Mr. Clarence “Junior” Smith, passed from this life Monday, June 10, 2019, at her home. Born in Manila, she was the daughter of the late Edgar and Ethal Palmer Murphy and had been a lifelong Manila resident. After receiving her G.E.D. she received her Licensed Practical Nursing certification from the former Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville; she later received her Registered Nursing degree from Arkansas State University. Over the years she had worked for the former Chickasawba Hospital in Blytheville, Osceola Memorial Hospital, Shaneyfelt Clinic in Manila and the Manila Nursing Center. She was a charter member of Westside Baptist Church in Manila, was an avid gardener and enjoyed her family, especially all her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Bryan Sickels; one great-grandson, Matthew Christian Iliff; two great-granddaughters, Kara Smith and Avery Smith.

Survivors include her son, Larry Smith (Virginia); two daughters, Sandra Joyce Sickels (Frank) and Cheryl Edgin, all of Manila; two brothers, Jerry Murphy of Caraway and Gary Murphy of Manila; five sisters, Mickey Starling of Dallas, Texas, Billie Staggs of Manila, Joan Murphy of Eldorado, Cathy Mindy of Bryant, and Marsha Mulford of Blytheville. She also leaves eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with Rev. Eddie Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Manila Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers. The family will receive visitors Thursday morning from 11 until service time.

Friends may sign the online guest register at www.howardfuneralservice.com.