Noel Ray Smith
Friday, 04 July 2008
Noel Ray Smith, 80, passed away July 2, 2008, at a local Hot Springs, Ark., hospital. Noel was the seventh child of eight children born to Nathaniel Green Smith and Lillian Samuel Smith in Tulip, Ark.
Noel received his Bachelor’s Degree from Arkansas State Teacher’s College in Conway. He received his Master’s Degree from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., and did post-graduate work at the University of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Ariz. His first teaching job was in El Dorado, Ark. After two years in teaching, he was promoted to an elementary principalship. During the next 40 years he served as principal of schools in El Dorado, Ark., Little Rock, Ark., La Paz, Bolivia, Cochabama, Bolivia, and several schools in New Mexico. Upon his retirement, he had served 42 years in public education. After retirement, he worked weekends as a counselor for the Arkansas Rehabilitation Center in Hot Springs.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; three brothers, Tommy, Kenneth and Roane and three sisters, Natalee Harrison, Eura Mae Elliott and Maxine Smith.
Noel is survived by three children, Ray Smith of Little Rock, Ark., Sharon Short of Bryant, Ark., and Kirby Smith of Dallas, Texas. Four grandchildren survive, Cally and Drew Short of Bryant and Aidan and Weston Smith of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by a brother, Kermit Smith of Pulaski, Tenn. Also surviving are many special nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Hunter’s Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Tulip, Ark., on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 10 a.m. Conducting the service will be Reverend Bob Clark from the Shorewood Hills Methodist Church of which Noel was a faithful member until his illness.
The family wishes to give special thanks to all who helped in his care during the past few months. A special thanks to Colleen Capps, Don Smith and Gail Gerard for all their assistance and love.
Arrangements are under the direction of Atkinson Funeral Home of Malvern. (501)332-2711. You may sign the guestbook at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net.