Deborah Smithson

1960 - 2022

TRUMANN - Deborah "Debbie" Ranee Smithson, 62, of Trumann departed this life Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was born Thursday, July 14, 1960, in Jonesboro.

Debbie was a lifelong resident of Trumann and a 1978 graduate of Trumann High School. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bay. She retired from Crowley's Ridge Development Council Head Start where she taught generations of Trumann residents, she was also a substitute teacher with the Trumann School District and a volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Debbie's great joy was to support her grandchildren and all their activities.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Amber McClaughlin, her niece, Melanie Cox, and her parents, J.W. and Janiece Abbott Smithson.

She is survived by her significant other, Randy Richards of the home; one son, Derick (Brittany) Smithson of Trumann; one son-in-law, Brandon McClaughlin of Trumann; one brother, Michael (Shannon) Smithson of Austin; one sister, Dana Ferguson of Bay; and five grandchildren, Hannah and Brayden McClaughlin, Danielle Coin, Garen and Devin Smithson; six nieces, Jerra Taylor, Jordan and Katie Ferguson, Malorie Reaves, Melissa Smithson, and Mareena Gilbert; and many cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Oct. 18, at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann A celebration of her life will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Gary Richey, Brandon McClaughlin, Allen Linton, Blake Linton, Larry Linton and Joey Abbott.

Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren, Wade Brown and Griffin Harness.

The family requests that lasting memorials be made to the Amber McClaughlin Memorial Scholarship at the Unico Bank in Trumann.

In compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, masks or other facial coverings are optional.

Online registry: www.thompsonfuneralhome.net