Jerry T. Smith

Jerry was born on November 29, 1939 in Greenville, Texas, the son of David and Nancy Smith. When Jerry was in the eighth grade, Jerry and his family moved to Stuttgart, Arkansas.

On April 18, 1965, Jerry married the love and light of his life Sharon Dean Shupe. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on April 18, 2025, this past Easter weekend. Jerry and Sherry raised three sons , Kent Smith, Jeff Smith and Jeremy Smith, who were raised in Pine Bluff, Little Rock and Dibble, Oklahoma.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sherry; sons, Kent Smith (Shannon); Jeff Smith (Amy); and Jeremy Smith; five grandchildren, Bailey Smith, Hagan Smith, Brynnan Smith, Kenley Smith and Sloan Smith; as well as numerous other loving family members. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Dixie Fletcher.

Jerry graduated from High School in Stuttgart, Arkansas and attended two years at Arkansas Tech University. In 1963 he enrolled in the Army National Guard. Jerry loved serving his country and rose to the rank of Seargent. Jerry also began his eventual lifelong career in the distribution and sales business by working as an Assistant Manager at the Kroger in DeWitt, Arkansas. Jerry and Sherry moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas where Jerry continued to work in the distribution business at Scallion’s Distributing. Jerry and Sherry then moved to Little Rock, Arkansas where Jerry worked as a Regional Manager for Southwest Distributors. His career next took him and Sherry to Oklahoma, and they eventually returned to Arkansas where he worked and later retired as a Regional Manager with SAJ Distributors.

Jerry lived a full life dedicated to his family, friends, and his deep faith. Jerry enjoyed fishing, boating and being outdoors, which even included brush hogging the pasture on his old Ford tractor when he and Sherry lived in Oklahoma and Mayflower, Arkansas.

Jerry loved the Lord and the word of God and was deeply involved with the various churches where he and Sherry would become members. He was a deacon at East Side Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he also drove a church bus that picked up children. Jerry was also a deacon at Olivet Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jerry and Sherry were also long time members of Fellowship Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jerry and Sherry have also sponsored an educational scholarship for a child, Omal, for the past ten years through African New Life of Rwanda who is special to them both.

Jerry was known for his dry and witty sense of humor, which you would miss if you did not know he was being humorous. He was a lifelong Razorback fan. His favorite drink was a good hot cup of coffee, and he could often be heard asking from his chair in the living room if there was any coffee over there in the kitchen whenever someone happened to be that way. Jerry always tried to look his best in a pair of khakis and a dress shirt, whether at work or in the yard.

Jerry loved spending time with his five grandchildren. But his heart and attention were always with his wife Sherry who described Jerry as the epitome of a Southern Gentleman. 

Jerry’s family would like to thank the many physicians, nurses and aides who were with him on this journey. In particular, the family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful caregivers of Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to African New Life of Rwanda, https://www.africanewlife.org.