John H. Smith

John Henry Smith, 77, of Decatur, Ark., passed away June 6, 2013, at Northwest Medical Center, Bentonville, Ark. Born Dec. 16, 1935, in Decatur, Ark., he was the son of Albert Smith and Zelma Payne Smith. He was a lifetime resident of Decatur where he was a farmer and rancher, and raised chickens for Peterson Industries/Simmons since 1967. John was a friend and role model to many. John served during peacetime in Germany in the U.S. Army as an M16 specialist. On Dec. 22, 1956, he married Alberta Effie Haggard in Decatur at the First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby sister, Anita Bell Smith; a brother, Albert Val Smith; a sister, Carol Wilson; and grandson, Kyle Smith. Survivors include his wife, Alberta of the home; three sons, Terry Smith and wife, Sherry, and Joey Smith and wife, Normona, all of Decatur, and Russell Smith and wife, Becky, of Siloam Springs, Ark.; five grandsons, Cody Smith and wife, Robin, Colt Smith, Matt Smith, Bryan Smith and wife, Leagha, and Kaleb Smith and wife, Chrisie; one granddaughter, Ashley Hook and husband, Jeremy; two stepgrandchildren, Samantha and Travis; five great-grandchildren, Presley Smith, Bailey Leonard, Grady Smith, Connor Smith and Logan Smith; four stepgreat-grandchildren, Bethany Hook, Taylor Hook, Cheyene Hook and Cherokee Hook; brother, Charles Smith of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister, Rowena Meek of Gravette, Ark.; sister-in-law Martha Smith of Decatur; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at First Baptist Church, Decatur, with the Rev. David Graham and the Rev. Dennis Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Decatur Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 10, 2013, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Relay for Life, c/o American Cancer Society, 1200 W. Walnut St., Suite 2313, Rogers, AR 72756. To sign the online guest book, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com.