Matthew Dollins Smith

Matthew Dollins Smith, 26, departed this world, prematurely, on Aug. 5, 2013, in Bella Vista, Ark. Although his family is heart-broken, we know he is now at peace and no longer suffering. Matthew carried an infectious smile that would light up any room. A friend to everyone he met, Matthew lived his life with genuine kindness and generosity with a willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone he met in need. He loved children and animals and had a keen ability to find and rescue stray kittens. As an avid outdoors enthusiast, Matthew excelled at any activity he attempted from long-boarding to mountain-biking to skiing and rock-climbing; he also enjoyed camping, photographing natural landscapes, and taking long drives on Arkansas country roads. Acting as an informed citizen, Matthew was a thoughtful activist and frequently exercised his voice and voting rights on matters ranging from gun control to civil rights. Matthew's true affinity for music led him to be a self-taught guitarist when he was in his early teens and propelled him to seek out live musical performances whenever possible. Matthew will be dearly and lovingly remembered as well as painfully missed by his surviving family and friends. Matthew was born on April 7, 1987, in Little Rock, Ark., to Jude Anne Dollins Smith of Bentonville, Ark., and James Samuel Smith of Berryville, Ark. He is survived by his mother, father; sisters, Sarah Smith Tucker of Centerton, Ark., and Hallie Smith of Bella Vista, Ark.; maternal grandparents, Jerry and Linda Dollins of Fayetteville, Ark.; and paternal grandmother, Sue Frowick Watkins of Santa Rosa, Calif.; in addition, he also leaves behind a stepfather, brother-in-law, several aunts, uncles and many cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in Matthew's name to an animal shelter or suicide prevention/awareness nonprofit of choice.