Alice Rachel Smith was born on July 11, 1956, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the loving union of Marion Jones Phillips and Mary Francis Talley Phillips. She peacefully departed this life on January 12, 2026, in the comfort of her home.
At the age of 19, Alice left home to begin building the life she would come to cherish deeply. Valuing education, she attended Tennessee State University and was a member of the Aristocrat Marching Band. Shortly thereafter, she enlisted in the United States Air Force. During part of her time in the military, Alice was stationed in Hawaii. It was there that she met the love of her life, James Austin Smith. On April 29, 1977, the two were united in holy matrimony, embarking on a devoted marriage that spanned 48 blessed years.
Together, Alice and James shared a journey of love and adventure that carried them across the world, including assignments in the Philippines, Japan, and beyond. During this time, they were blessed with four children: Alika Monique, Austin Chante, April Shanee, and Eric Shawn.
Alice honorably served in the United States Air Force for 17 years, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant and earning numerous medals and ribbons along the way. She was part of the combat phase of the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm. After completing her military service, she and her family relocated to Malvern, Arkansas, where she continued her education and graduated with an associate degree in accounting from Ouachita Technical College now known as Arkansas State Three Rivers. Alice later worked for and retired from State Farm Insurance.
Family was the heart of Alice’s life. She made it a point to keep her home open and welcoming to all. Over the years, many relatives found refuge under her roof. With her trademark humor, whenever questions arose about family ties, Alice would smile and say, “I found you all in the trash can,” ensuring everyone felt equally loved and special.
Alice’s greatest pride and joy was the life and family she and James built together. Her love for Christ was instilled at an early age and remained central throughout her life. At the time of her passing, she was a faithful member of First Baptist Rockport Church, where she attended services regularly and was an avid Sunday School participant. She served faithfully in many capacities, including New Members Orientation Director and as a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, Maude McCollum Circle. She quietly carried out a personal Ministry of Help, offering support wherever and whenever it was needed, firmly believing in being a blessing to others.
Alice was the seventh of eight cherished siblings. She was preceded in death by her father, Marion Jones Phillips, Sr.; son, Eric Shaun Smith; granddaughter, Adriane Orebaugh; sisters: Melba Patricia Jolly, Brenda Lee Phillips, Loretta Foncene Phillips Coverson, and Mattie Lane; brothers: Jackie Robinson Phillips and Marion Jones Phillips, Jr; sisters-in-law, Ruth Yvonne Smith and Karen Rene Smith.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory her devoted husband, James A. Smith; daughters, Alika (Trey) Salley and April (Randall) Jones; son, Austin (Stacey) Smith; her beloved mother, Mary Francis Phillips; brother, William D. (Cindy) Phillips; brother-in-law, John (Terri) Smith Jr.; sisters-in-law, Essie Etheridge, Marsha Lock; ten grandchildren: Jezale, Jharia, Khaliel, Selwyn II, Elijah, Kaiya, Ailani, Chauvet, Kalyn, and Kamron; and four great-grandchildren: Jazlean, Phoenix, Slade and Sarahii.
She also leaves a very devoted niece, Melissa (Lynn) Waynick; her lifelong best friend since grade school, Regina (Walter) Pope; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.
Alice's Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at First Baptist Rockport Church in Malvern. Visitation will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the church.
An online guestbook is available below for family and friends to share memories and words of comfort. Brandon’s Mortuary is honored to serve the Smith family with dignity and compassionate care.
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