Nancy Jean Smith, 82, of Osceola, departed this life on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Marked Tree, Arkansas. She was born on February 17, 1942, in Nodena, Arkansas, to Jesse Franklin Smith and Johnnie (Jake) Reynolds Smith.
Nancy made some lifelong friends during her tenure of nearly 20 years at Union Carbide/Viskase as a Lab Tech, where she also served on The Safety Brigade.
Growing up in the Nodena Baptist Church provided a legacy of love she cherished all through her years. She raised two daughters who loved her dearly and her grandchildren had her heart from the time they were born. Having been raised on a farm, from an early age Nancy had a soft spot for all animals, especially her favorite little rescue “Domino” the tyrant!
In her latter years she became a member of Eastside Baptist Church in Osceola, where she enjoyed participating in the Woman’s Sunday School Class.
Nancy had a servants heart for those who needed comfort and care. Throughout her life, she found her niche in unconditionally giving of herself.
She enjoyed time working in her yard, gardening and planting flowers. She enjoyed watching various birds, especially hummingbirds, and butterflies. Wild Kingdom, and National Geographic were two of her favorite television shows. She loved working crossword puzzles, was an avid reader, and always had a good book nearby.
She also had a hidden mischievous streak, a great sense of humor, and played a mean game of checkers.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Sheri Adams, of Osceola, Arkansas and Marsha Jones, of Memphis, Tennessee; her sisters, Louella Locklin, of Grand Prairie, Texas, Barbara Smith, of Tampa, Florida, Connie (Maurice) Thomas, of Beckville, Texas, and Annette Hill, of Wilson, Arkansas, her sister in laws, Patty Smith, Melinda Smith, Christina Smith, all of Wilson, Arkansas; her beloved grandchildren, Silas Adams, of Joiner, Arkansas, Ethan (Bailee) Adams, of Joiner, Arkansas and Elijah Adams, (fiancé, Hilda Munoz), of Senath, Missouri; her great grandchildren, Noah Kate Adams, Jennings Adams, Riley Adams, Jaylah, Julie, and Josie Munoz; a host of nieces; nephews; and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband, Mallory H. Jones, brothers, Frank Smith, Jerry Smith, Felix Smith, and Russell Smith.
Funeral Service will be Monday, July 15, 2024, in the Chapel of Delancey Funeral Home, 200 Miles Street, Lepanto, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will follow the service in the Mississippi County Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Highway 61 in Osceola.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Adams Jr., Ethan Adams, Elijah Adams, Jesse Smith, Jason Smith, and Jacob Smith.
A time of visitation will be Monday, July 15, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 2pm in the Chapel of Delancey Funeral Home, Lepanto, Arkansas.
Memorials may be sent to St. Jude’s in memory of Nancy.
Arrangements entrusted to Doty Family Funeral & Memorial Service of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas.
