Athan Earl Smith

Athan "Earl" Smith, 73, died at his home on February 4, 2015, surrounded by his family. Earl died after an 18 year battle with cancer. He was born in the Stanford Community on October 2, 1941. He was the youngest of nine children born to Jesse A. and Susan Pillow Smith. Earl was a faithful member of the Commissary Church of Christ since 1965. He was a 35 year retiree of Emerson Electric, an accomplished musician, beloved son, brother, husband, father, and PaPa. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann (Anderson) Smith of 50 years; two cherished sons, Anthony Earl Smith and Anderson Evan Smith (Ginger); four treasured grandchildren, Jared Logan Smith, Caleb Van Smith, Kateleigh Ann Smith and Kyler Athan Smith; brother, L.R. Smith of Paragould; sisters, Jessie Smith of St. Louis, MO, and Alice Songer of Waterloo, IL; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Olvie, Elgie, Bobby, James and G. L. Smith; and two nephews, Billy Smith and Larry Ray Smith. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 PM at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday at 10 AM at Heath Colonial Chapel with L.R. Smith and Art Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Morrow Cemetery. Memorial may be made to the Children’s Home, Inc., American Cancer Society, or St. Bernard’s Hospice.