Joseph E. Smith

Joseph Edward "Joe" Smith, 89, of Bartlett, Tennessee, passed from this life on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at his residence in Bartlett.

Joe was born in Manila and was a 1953 graduate of Manila High School and attended Arkansas State University on the GI Bill following his military service. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and was active duty during the Korean War. Following discharge from the Navy, Joe served an enlistment  in the Army National Guard and resided in Jonesboro before moving to Bartlett nine years ago.

Joe retired from General Electric Corporation in Jonesboro with over 30 years of service and was a life member of the AFL-CIO and IUEW Unions. He was a long-time member of Nettleton United Methodist Church and for several years attended Forest Home Church of the Nazarene. Joe was a life member of the Democratic Party and was a past member of the American Legion Post 21.

For years Joe enjoyed restoring classic cars and was a member of the Crowley Ridge Cruisers. He was an avid reader and was preceded in death by his parents, Claud and Edna Simpson Smith, first wife Peggy Sue White Smith, daughter Donna Jo Smith Gookin, brother George Smith, second wife Shirley Mask Smith, father-in-law and mother-in-law: Warren and Jewel White, step son Mike Mask, and brother-in-law Wesley White.

In high school at Manila, Joe dated a fellow classmate named Bettye Brinkley. Some time following the death of Shirley, Joe was reacquainted with Bettye and they became devoted friends again.  Survivors include this significant friend, Bettye Brinkley Binkley of Bartlett;

1 daughter, Denise Buercklin of Little Rock;

2 grandchildren, Catherine Buercklin of Conway and Joseph Buercklin of Little Rock;

2 step children: Renee Pool of Rosemark, Tennessee and Kenneth Binkley and wife Nancy of Atoka, Tennessee;

4 sisters-in-law and their spouses: Phyllis Smith of Manila, Mary Pustrom of Gastonia, North Carolina, Reba Cooper and husband Millard of Jonesboro, and Judy Bond and husband Ralph of Sherwood;

7 step grandchildren: Brook Carincross, Jennifer Box, Heather Torres; Melody Honshell, James Pool, Matthew Hubble and Shaun Mask; and many step great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Billy Barker officiating. Burial will follow in Nettleton Cemetery. Visitation will precede the funeral service from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Honorary pallbearers include James Bullard, Neal Moore, Johnny Reeves, Johnny Gatlin, Liz Smith Jones, Gary Smith, Jim Wooten and Neal Starnes.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Childrens Home, 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450.