Alice Smith

Alice Mac Lafferty Smith died on Monday, January 5, 2009 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs. She was 93 years old. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Glenn Manees Smith and their beloved son Glenn Michael Smith who died at age 14. Her parents where the late William and Maude Mac Lafferty of Mena. Mrs. Smith attended College of the Ozarks and graduated from Arkansas State Teacher's College in 1939, now University of Central Arkansas, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was a school teacher in Mena, Newport and at UCA. She and Mr. Smith were married in 1940 and eventually moved to New York City while he completed his PhD at Columbia University. Shreveport, LA and La Crosse WI where home for the Smith's until moving to Hot Springs Village in 1981. Alice was an exceptional person in every aspect of her life. Her devotion to caring for her son Mike during his short life and supporting her husband during his academic career was unfaltering. She was active in the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women and participated in protests against human rights violations and the war in Vietnam. She was outspoken in her support of equal rights for all people and a staunch member of the Democratic Party. The preservation of the environment for future generations was of special concern for her as her circle of family and friends included all ages, from ninety-something to barely toddlers. She was an extraordinary wife, mother, aunt, friend and a pal. The pleasure of her company will long be missed. Alice enjoyed sports, both as a spectator and athlete. She was a gifted tennis player and swimmer. She continued swimming with the Turtles of Hot Springs Village until recently. She and Glenn were avid Razorback fans. Together, they rarely missed any Razorback sporting event. Alice continued her love of bridge all of her life and was a voracious reader of all forms of literature which she shared with her family and friends. As a lifelong Presbyterian, she was a member of the Predbyterian Kirk in the Pines in Hot Springs Village. She believed spiritual growth was never completed, but carried on throughout life's joys and sorrows. Other members of her family include her late sisters Charlotte Adams and Helen Barham. Her brother was James Mac Lafferty. She is survived by her nieces, Brenda Tate, and Becky Crawford of Mena, Jayme Smith Dissly of Little Rock, Sylvia Haley of Belton, Texas ; Barbara Beaver of Marietta, Georgia; Mary Alice Johnson of Shenandoah, Iowa ; a nephew Paul Mac Lafferty of Bella Vista and Glenn's brother Gilbert Smith and his wife Geraldine of Heber Springs. She has many grandnieces and grandnephews and their children who also have been blessed by her presence in their lives. She and Glenn had made many friends throughout their lives of giving, loving and community service, which includes their family of old friends from La Crosse, Wisconsin where they lived until 1981. The family would like to honor Alice's dearest friend Peggy Cook of Hot Springs Village for her love and kindness and the remarkable friendship they shared. A celebration to honor Alice's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday January 15, 2009 at Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines in Hot Springs Village. The Reverend William B. Bailey, Pastor of Presybterian Kirk in the Pines, will officiate. A brief interment service will follow in the church garden after a reception in the church fellowship hall. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Vera Lloyd Home in Monticello. The address is 1501 N. University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72207. Memorials may also be made to Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines, 275 Asturius Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.

Alice Smith

October 28, 1915 - January 5, 2009