John Lewis Smith

John Lewis Smith, 60, of Bella Vista passed away peacefully on July 12th at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, AR. He was born March 20th, 1963 in Rogers to Robert Harry Smith and Patricia Brown Smith.

John was a gentle, loving, yet tough man. After graduating from high school in Escambia County, Florida, he joined the Army. Serving his county and the brotherhood he so cherished in the Army was among his proudest accomplishments. After his service, he moved to Northwest Arkansas, eventually beginning his trucking company. Cripple Creek trucking operated for over 30 years, and he solely kept his business going through good times and bad. While not on the road, he proudly raised his two sons who went on to have 4 children of their own. His kids and grandkids became his sole focus. Every action he took had
his kin in mind, and he was a man who showed up for everything, good or bad. He is now up on Cripple Creek, and he’s dancing next to our Great Father, and his mother.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia (Pat) Brown Smith, whom he so cherished.

He is survived by his loving partner, Starrla Tallant Harrison, two sons and their families, Caleb Smith (Sarah) of Bentonville, AR and Forrest Smith (Kayleigh) of Centerton, AR; grandchildren, Anniston, Kaysen, Ansley, and Nolan; brothers Matthew Smith (Shannon) of Molina, FL and Mike Smith (Susan), of
Four Oaks, NC; nieces and nephews Lauren, Morgan, Courtney, Jeffery, Lindsey, Anna, Allie, Adam. He is also survived by the several children he had a hand in raising, and many teammates that he coached on the baseball field. The family would like to thank the VA Hospital, Dr. Warix, NP Hillary, and the numerous different nurses who were angels to our family, and diligently took care of John.

Memorial Service will take place at Epting Funeral Home in Gravette, AR on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, with Gravesite services with Military Honors to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gravette, AR.