Obituaries » JAMES HENRY SMITH, SR.
PrintJAMES HENRY SMITH, SR.
December 8, 1954 - May 4, 2026
Burial Date: May 16, 2026
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Phillips, Lee, Monroe, and Desha District Center, 154 Highway 20, Helena Arkansas from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Funeral service will promptly begin at 11:00 a.m. at Phillips, Lee, Monroe, and Desha District Center, 154 Highway 20, Helena Arkansas. Interment will follow immediately at Oneida Community Cemetery, Oneida Arkansas.
James Henry Smith, Sr. was born December 8, 1954 to his late parents Shedrick and Lucille Smith, Sr. in Midway (Marvell), Arkansas. James professed his faith in Christ at the age of 13 in 1968 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Oneida, Arkansas under the leadership of the late Reverend Sterling King. James also enjoyed fellowshipping with First Baptist, Poplar Grove and First Baptist, Oneida where he later joined and enjoyed returning to his home church of Macedonia, Oneida.
James began his education in Marvell School District and later attended Lakeview Public Schools where he was a graduate of the Class of 1973. He was previously married to Vickie D. Smith with whom he shared one son.
James worked for Riceland Foods in Helena, Arkansas before relocating to St. Louis, Missouri where he worked for a Steel Mill. He later returned to Arkansas where he worked for Browning-Ferris Industries in North Little Rock, Hill & Hill, Davis & Davis, Youngs Fertilizer, Loveless Farms and many others in the Phillips County area. James was known for his strong work ethic and mastered any task that he committed himself to.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Shedrick and Lucille Smith, two brothers; Larry Smith, Monroe Smith, three sisters; Louise Howard, Velma Larkin, and Bernice Thomas.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories, three sons; Tyrone Dixon of West Helena AR, James “Jay” (Amanda) Smith, Jr. of North Little Rock AR, Brandon (Secrett) Smith of Glenn Heights TX; one daughter; Katealius Whittington of Jacksonville AR, three brothers; Shedrick (Christine) Smith, Jr. of Poplar Grove AR, Sylvester (Alfredia) Smith of St. Louis MO, Dennis (Cecelia) Smith of Cedar Hill TX, three sisters; Ethel Veasey, Josephine (Charley) Hunter both of Chicago IL, Mary Evans of St. Louis MO, one sister-in-law; Pearl Smith of Lexa AR, three nephews who were raised as brothers; Charles R. Howard of Memphis TN, Calvin (Lorianne)Thomas of Jacksonville AR, Andre (Teritha) Thomas of Olive Branch MS, twelve grandchildren; Tyeshia, Taneisha, Tyquaneshia, Vada Clara, Austin, Jason, Dekeyveonta, Damarian, Davian, Droux, Demi, Dez, three great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and other loving relatives and friends.
