Bertha Smith

Bertha Smith, 102 of Jonesboro, passed from this life on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Ridgecrest Health And Rehabilitation Center in Jonesboro. Born in Black Oak on December 28, 1915, to Joseph and Martha Ada Gaskins DeHoff, Mrs. Smith grew up in Craighead County. She attended Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee, where she was a member of the Women’s Basketball Team. She was a graduate of Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Education degree.

Bertha was a career educator and taught school in Arkansas at Bono and Valley View where she was Valley View’s first girls’ basketball coach. She also taught in Idaho, and California where she retired. After retiring she lived in Nevada with her sister Mary Ann Vass until Mary Ann passed. Bertha moved back to Arkansas residing at St. Bernard’s Village. She has said, living at the Village was one of the best things she could have done. She loved the activities, Bible classes, bingo and the company of the residents. Bertha also enjoyed crocheting, quilting, traveling, walking and exercising. She was an avid professional basketball fan (Spurs). Further, Mrs. Smith enjoyed reading, church activities and authored a book, “My Story” by Bertha Mae Smith.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, four brothers; George DeHoff, John DeHoff, JC DeHoff, and Ollie Guthrie, two sons; Ben Logan Smith and Jerry Neal Smith, and a grandson Russell Smith, Jr. Survivors include two sons: Gary (Martha) Smith and Russell (Kathy) Smith all of Jonesboro. Grandchildren, Tracy Smith, Robin Johnson, Kathy Chesser, Brenda Alires, JoAnn Curtis, Sandra Addington, Mike Smith, Dianna White, Jerry Smith, Ben Smith and Michael Smith. Eleven great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am and funeral services at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Southwest Church of Christ with Jimmy Adcox officiating. Private burial will follow in Herman Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Tracy Smith, Dakota Smith, Tim Johnson, Dale Johnson, and Shane Cooper.

In Lieu of flowers the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road., Paragould, Arkansas 72450 or Phil and Flo Hospice Program, 400 East St. Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.