Juanita Helms

Juanita Helms, 96, of Smithville, died Jan. 7, 2025, at Lawrence Hall Nursing Home in Walnut Ridge.

Born Sept. 30, 1928, in Smithville, she was the daughter of Claude and Ruby Davis Matthews. She married Leon Helms on Sept. 20, 1947.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Earl Matthews; her sister, Peggy Glenn; and a step-great-granddaughter, Jessica Downs-Kary.

Juanita was a Lynn High School graduate. She was a homemaker, and spent 35 years operating a dairy farm with her husband. The couple and their sons were named 1977 Lawrence County Farm Family of the Year.

She served as a Smithville 4-H Club leader for many years, and was an active member of the Anchor Extension Homemakers Club. Juanita was a member of Smithville Baptist Church and served in the nursery.

Survivors, along with her husband, include two sons, Royce (Debbie) Helms and Dr. Roger (Marla) Helms, all of Smithville; three grandchildren, Alex (Brittany) Helms of Smithville, Aaron Helms of Little Rock, and Meridith (Taylor) Helms-Pack of Baton Rouge, La.; step-grandsons, Trae (Danielle) Brewer of Smithville, and Chad Brewer of Vilonia; great-granddaughter, Oaklynn Helms of Smithville; step-great-grandchildren, Eli and Ethan Brewer of Smithville, Piper and Emili Brewer of Wakefield, Kan., Hanna Downs of Jonesboro, and Katie Wells of Paragould.

Visitation was Monday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. at Smithville Baptist Church. The funeral service followed at 2 p.m. with Bro. Keith Marlin officiating. Burial was in Smithville Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Royce Helms, Roger Helms, Alex Helms, Aaron Helms, Stephen Lightfoot and Danny Davis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the Smithville Cemetery, Smithville Community Center, or Smithville Fire Department.