Ira Franklin Smith

Ira Franklin Smith, 63 of Brinkley, passed away on Monday evening, March 20 at his home.

Ira was born October 28, 1959 in Des Arc, Arkansas to Norman Leslie Smith and Allie Dean Barham-Smith.

Ira was raised in Des Arc and attended the Des Arc Public School System, where he played football and participated in other extracurricular activities. In later years, he received a GED.

Ira was formerly employed as a Machine Operator with Lawhon of McCrory for 5 years; and the Sanyo Corporation of Forrest City for 1 year. He also worker for the Bungie Corporation of Des Arc for several years during his earlier years.

Ira was formerly a member of Heartline Community Church in Brinkley.

Ira was united in holy matrimony to Tonya Richardson on April 19, 1997.

Ira was a man who enjoyed a simple country life with his family by his side. Besides the love of his life, his wife Tonya, his kids and grandkids were the center of his existence.

Ira was a true outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing with family and friends. During his earlier years, he was a golden gloves boxer. He was a man with a kind and generous heart and never minded helping anyone in need. He and his wife and family would take in anyone who just need a helping hand, a hot meal or just a place to lay their head for a night or two. He loved traveling locally and riding around and touring his community at all times of the day and night.

Ira loved food! He loved cooking and grilling out of doors for family and friends. He enjoyed making homemade dried and smoked meats. He was locally famous for his venison jerky! If you never had his jerky, you missed out on a great treat.

During his spare time, Ira enjoyed watching his Westerns on television as well as other retro television shows, game shows and listening to music.

His granddaughter Dillynn Noelle Smith, his parents: Norman and Allie Dean Smith and his brother Arlin Smith all preceded Ira in death.

Survivors are: his wife of 26 years Tonya Richardson Smith of Brinkley, AR; four sons: Ira D. Smith and Spencer Smith both of Jonesboro, AR; Christopher (Heather) Smith of Cotton Plant, AR; and Johnathan (Jasmine) Smith of Brinkley, AR; his daughter Barbara (Wesley) Ellis of Jonesboro, AR; twenty grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; double nephew and niece; Stacy and Stephanie Elliott of Palestine, AR; a brother Anthony Smith of Brinkley, AR; two sisters Rena (Johnnie) Smith-McCraw of Jacksonville, AR; and Veronica (Doug) Smith-Tripp of Brinkley, AR; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will take place on Thursday evening, March 23 from 3 until 6 PM at C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations, 124 South Main Avenue in Brinkley. Interment will be private. (870) 589-5036 Email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com  and website: www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>

Honorary pallbearers are: Johnathan Smith, Spencer Smith, Stacy Elliott, Kenny Elliot, Zacchaeus Richardson, Hunter Heidelberger, Billy Waggle and Christopher Smith.