George Richard Smith

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

George Richard Smith, 79, of the Milligan Ridge community near Manila, died Monday, July 13, 2015 at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. Born in the Shady Grove community, he was the son of the late Claud and Mary Edna Simpson Smith and had been a lifelong Manila area resident.

A 1954 graduate of Manila High School, he was a U.S. Army veteran, and later received his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Arkansas State University in 1962. Mr. Smith taught school for several years and enjoyed working on the family farm. He retired in 2008 from the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier in Lake City. He was an avid reader, with a special interest in World War II.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Phyllis Jackson Smith of the home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Annie and Billy Barker, Jeanie and Blaine Hitt, and Robby and Irving Smith, all of Milligan Ridge; one brother, Joe Smith of Jonesboro. He also leaves five grandchildren, Billy Joe Barker, Raun Barker, Darren Hitt, Heath Hitt and Ryleigh Smith; one great-grandson, Hudson Barker, and a special niece, Denise Buercklin.

Graveside funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16, in the Manila Cemetery with Rev. Billy Joe Barker officiating. The family received visitors Wednesday evening from 6-8 at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila.

Pallbearers include Raun Barker, Darren Hitt, Blaine Higginbotham, Terry Brewer, Floyd Winstead, Michael Carter and Graig Stull.

Guest register: www.howardfuneralservice.com.