Brian Lee Smith

Brian Lee Smith, 63, of Van Buren, former Leachville resident, passed peacefully from this life Sunday, July 2, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Memphis, Tenn., he was raised in Leachville and was a 1978 graduate of Leachville High School. Following high school, Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He worked several years as a sportswriter and later the sports editor for the Northwest Arkansas Morning News before returning to Leachville to work with his family as a licensed funeral director. He then worked as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Manila, a job he particularly enjoyed. He looked forward to seeing and visiting with everyone on his route and developed lifelong friendships with many of them. While in school at Fayetteville, Brian fell in love with northwest Arkansas and when he had an opportunity to return to the area, he couldn’t pass it up. He took a job with the Postal Distribution Center in Fort Smith and while working there met his soulmate, Somer Jones. He and Somer had lived in Van Buren for the past 13 years and loved the home they had made together. Brian enjoyed camping and hiking and sharing his favorite places with family and friends. He particularly loved White Rock Mountain and Lost Valley on the Buffalo River. He had a passion and vast knowledge of music, collecting guitars, vintage vinyl records, and World War II memorabilia, but his greatest pastime was following the Green Bay Packers and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Brian was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Leachville before moving to northwest Arkansas and always considered it his church home. He was the very definition of a family man and will be remembered as a loyal friend, devoted husband, loving father, son, uncle and brother.

Survivors include his wife, Somer of the home; son, Andy Smith (Katie) of Little Rock; stepchildren, Ethan McPeek of Liberty, Okla., Hannah Arter and Shayla Arter, both of Van Buren; parents, Earl and Martha Jo Smith of Leachville; brother, Greg Smith (Melinda) of Jonesboro; niece, Lindsey Blake (Lee), and nephew, Matt Smith (Megan); great nieces, Charleigh and Parker Smith; and great nephew, Lleyton Hyland Blake.

Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Pastor David Price officiating. Serving as active pallbearers will be Terry Selby, Scott Hudson, Rusty Mathis, Gordon Miller, Brian Davis and Randy Rose. Burial will follow in Leachville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Wednesday evening from 5:30-8 at the funeral home. The family requests any memorials be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.howardfuneralservice.com