Mary Lou Smith

Mary Lou Smith 79 of Bald Knob went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 14, 2025 at her
home surrounded by her loving family. She was born January 29, 1946 in Searcy, a daughter of
the late Charles Nash Nichols and Lou Ella (Wheeler) Nichols. Known affectionately as Mary
Lou or Mimi, she was the epitome of what it meant to be a mother and a servant to others. She
dedicated her life to helping, nurturing, and caring for people and her town. A true patriot of the
Bald Knob community, she poured herself into making her little town a better place to live. Mary
Lou served on the Bald Knob City Council for several terms and was instrumental in the
development and construction of the first baseball park. She was passionate about the children
of the area and played a very active part in the Bald Knob Youth Program, Pee-Wee cheer and
served in the Civic Club the Jaycett's. The Holiday Lane of Lights was another community effort
she was deeply involved with. Her work with the organization helped to bring Christmas cheer
and togetherness to Bald Knob.
In more recent years, Mary Lou, and other community members, took a stance on the aesthetic
betterment of Bald Knob by serving on the Beautification Committee. She was instrumental in
the cleaning and clearing of many vacant lots and the disposal of numerous abandoned
structures.
Mary Lou worked for several years at General Industries in Bald Knob served as a court clerk
and notary public, and was also a real estate agent. She made many lifelong connections and
friends along the way. She was also a very gifted seamstress and enjoyed sharing her talent by
sewing for others.
Her present smile was infectious and an encounter with Mary Lou was sure to begin with her
legendary hug and a kiss on the cheek. Her love of people was evident in everything she did.
She was a member of the New Beginnings Community Church in Bald Knob, she enjoyed being
outdoors whether fishing or tending to her roses and other plants, and spending every moment
she could with her children and grandchildren.
In her earlier years, her weekends were spent at the softball field playing and coaching.
She is survived by her children, Sherrie Barrentine and husband, Malcolm, Darren Miller and
wife, Becky and Angela Smith and husband Mitch, her grandchildren, Brandy Stake and her
husband Steve, Brandon Barrentine and wife Tiffany, and Anna Davis; great-grandchildren,
Bralee and Clara Barrentine and Sylas and Myla Stake; her niece, Sandra Piker and a half
brother, Paul Nichols.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kynith Smith; her
children's father, Eugene Miller, and a sister, Charlcie Long Tuggle, who she often referred
to as her soulmate.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Bald Knob.
Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dennis Pearrow and Bro. Wesley Roberts officiating. Interment
will follow in the Steward Addition of Shady Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to
Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob - Judsonia. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the
Bald Knob Youth Program for renovations of the Wilcox Brothers Sports Complex. P.O. 1119
Bald Knob, AR 72010