Donald Houston Smith

Donald Houston Smith, 84, of Pine Bluff died Jan. 1, 2015 at 6:54 p.m. at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born March 18, 1930 in Peach Orchard (Clay County), Ark. to Harmon and Mary Ellen Cox Smith. He graduated from Leachville High School, Arkansas State University at Jonesboro with a BA degree and the University of Arkansas Law School at Fayetteville with a JD degree. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Blue Key Law Review and ROTC. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1956 as a 2nd and 1st Lieutenant in Korea and Japan. His main duty was artillery scout. After graduating law school, he practiced briefly in Blytheville, Ark. and then moved to Pine Bluff in 1959, where he joined the Reinberger and Eilbott law firm where he later became a partner. He retired from practice in 2001. During his practice, he was president of the Jefferson County Young Democrats, member of the Jefferson County Democrats and the Arkansas Democrats and chairman of the Jefferson County Election Commission for 16 years. As president of the Office of Economic Opportunity, he helped initiate summer youth employment and Head Start classes in Jefferson County. Also, he was a member and president of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce, member and vice president of the Pine Bluff Industrial Foundation and member and president of Rosswood Country Club. He was a member of the Arkansas and American Bar Associations and served as president of the Jefferson County Bar Association. He served as a member of the Arkansas Department of Corrections Board of Directors. He was also recognized in Who's Who in Politics and Who's Who in the South and Southwest. He was a man of the Christian faith. Survivors include his wife, Rose Mary Albano Smith; daughter, Mary Ann Nelson and husband, Willie of Melrose, Wis.; two sons, Donald Houston Smith Jr. of Clarksville, Ark. and Brian Davis Smith and wife, Debra of Tontitown, Ark.; three brothers, Harmon "Bud" Smith and wife, Lucille of Flint, Mich., Franklin Smith and wife, Shirlene of Cary, N.C. and Robert J. Smith and wife, Jennie of Knox, Tenn. His source of pride was his six grandchildren, who affectionately called him "G-pop." Boren Carder Jones – 19, Abbigail Marie Nelson - 14, Paul Ashton Smith - 14, Josie-Kate Smith – 12, Donald Houston "Hoot" Nelson - 12 and Jon-Davis Smith – 9. He was predeceased by both parents and three sisters, Lucille Davis, Luise Alvis and Evelyn Wending. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Father Frank DuPreez and Deacon Noel "Bud" Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorials to be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church, PO Box 7434, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71611 or St. Peter's Catholic Church, 207 East 16th Avenue, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.