Irving T Smith Jr.

Irving T Smith Jr., age 72, of Caraway, passed from this life Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Son of the late Irene and Wiley Smith, he was born and raised in Caraway. Irving enlisted in the United States Army at age 17 and served for 20 years and 28 days, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. Following his retirement from the Army, he went on to be an entrepreneur and start his own trucking company, which was his true passion. Irving was a member of Caraway First Baptist Church and loved trucking and wrestling. In addition to his grandparents, who raised him from birth, he was preceded in death by his biological parents, Irving T Smith Sr and Wanda Mise.

Survivors include:

His wife of nearly 53 years, Malinda Smith, of the home

2 sons, Irving T Smith III (Robby) of Manila, and Ricky Smith (Jennifer) of Caraway

1 half-brother, Buddy Frank Smith of Arizona

1 half-sister, Sharon Willis of Texas

3 grandchildren, Ryleigh Smith, Archer Smith, and Kolter Smith

Irving also leaves a host of other family and friends.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Manila with Bro. Rick Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in the Caraway Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Gary Smith, Ronnie Hurst, Tray Austin, Don Orr, and Heath Primm. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Simmons, Bruce Simmons, Archer Smith, Kolter Smith, Ryleigh Smith, Kayden Horton, Ricky Justus, Jeremy Simmons, Scott Reeves, and Danny Austin. The family will receive visitors on Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Friends may sign the online guest register at www.HowardFuneralService.com