Lyle M. Smith

Lyle M. Smith, 75, of Fayetteville, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Pinnacle Health and Rehabilitation Center in Rogers. Born March 28, 1942 in Spearsville, Louisiana, Union Parish, he was the third son of Elder John Lee Smith and Delma Wall Smith. He was reared and received his early education in Spearsville, Louisiana. A life-long sports fan, he was proud to be a left-handed pitcher on the 1959 Louisiana Class B, State Baseball Championship team in Baton Rouge, pitching for two winning games. Moving to Pine Bluff after graduation, he worked at International Paper Company, retiring in July 2003 after 42 years, 10 months of service. A history buff, Lyle particularly enjoyed studying the Civil War, World War I and World War II. He volunteered for several years at the Arkansas Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff, sharing the history of trains with visitors. He also enjoyed genealogy, researching his family, his wife's family, and the families of his daughter-in-law and son-in-law. For many years he was one of the family historians and worked with his cousins to organize family reunions in Louisiana and Texas in honor of his grandfather, Woody K. Smith. Always a voracious reader, Lyle became a strong supporter of the Greenland Library after moving to Northwest Arkansas a few years following his retirement. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff and a 3rd degree Master Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: John W. "Wimp" Smith, Vernon D. Smith and Carl A. Smith. Survivors include wife, Charlene "Kitten" Asberry Smith, the love of his life for 56 years; son, Randy Smith and his wife, Mille; daughter, Peggy Smith Hart and her husband, Gene; grandchildren, Piper and Adam Hart, all of Fayetteville; along with three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews, with whom he loved sharing family stories. He also is survived by the remaining members of the Spearsville High School Graduating Class of 1960, with whom he felt a great fondness and closeness. Cremation will be followed by a private, family graveside service in the Old Bellwood Addition of Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff, to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to several causes important to Lyle. For his love of his family roots, donations may be made to the Spearsville Cemetery, c/o Ned and Mary Barron, 1067 Spearsville Road, Spearsville, La. 71277. For his love of history, donations may be made to the Arkansas Railroad Museum, P.O. Box 2044, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71613. To honor his love of reading, donations may be made to the Friends of the Greenland Library, The Greenland Library, 8 East Ross Street, Greenland, Ark. 72737. And for his love for his long-time church family, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, 6501 South Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603. Arrangements are under the direction of Beard's Chapel, condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.