Ngoc Thi Nguyen

Ngoc Thi Nguyen, 70, of Fort Smith, AR, entered the Kingdom of Heaven peacefully, at home, surrounded by family on Thursday, November 9, 2023, in Fort Smith, AR. She was born on April 8, 1953, in Vientiane, Laos, to the late Dong Van Phan and Van Thi Tran. She was a homemaker and a devoted member of the Vietnamese Baptist Church in Fort Smith, AR.
She and her husband of 52 years, immigrated to the United States with their oldest three children in 1975 with nothing but their faith in the Lord, hoping for a better life. Being the eldest of eleven siblings, she worked very hard in order to sponsor her parents and siblings to America. Little did we know their sacrifice would provide the American dream to four generations and counting.
To many in her family, she was often referred to as "me Duc", which is a term of endearment, because of her unconditional and compassionate love towards everyone.Throughout the Vietnamese community, she was known for her gentle smile and an even bigger heart. Her hobbies included tending to her plants in her garden and watching her Thai Dramas. She was also an exceptional chef who loved to cook and spend time sharing a meal with family and friends. When not at home, you would often find her traveling the world to shop, sightseeing, eating exotic fruits, and visiting extended family members worldwide.
She is survived by her husband, Loc Nguyen; five children, Phuong and Oanh Tong, Hong Chuong and Chau Nguyen, Tai Nguyen and Lazara Williams, James and Hope Kelley, and Tho (Jimmy) Nguyen and Ly Tran; ten grandchildren: Faith Tong, Alan Tong, Camden Chuong, Caleb Chuong, Chloe Chuong, Taira Nguyen, Robyn Nguyen, Isabelle Kelley, Olivia Kelley and Andi Nguyen.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith, AR. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Vietnamese Baptist Church, 2801 Alabama Ave., Fort Smith, AR., with interment at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR. Pallbearers will be led by Tai Nguyen with Jimmy Nguyen, Phuong Tong, Alan Tong, Hong Chuong, Camden Chuong, and Caleb Chuong. Arrangements are under the direction of Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith, AR.