Lea Ann Smithey

Lea Ann Jackson Smithey, 65, of Caraway, Arkansas, departed this life for her heavenly home on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 28, 1960 in Jonesboro to Calvin and Patricia (Marshall) Jackson.

Lea Ann was a lifelong resident of Caraway. She had the kindest soul and warmest spirit and her children will tell you that she “had the patience of Job”. That term is used to describe someone who exhibits extraordinary endurance and persistence, even in the face of overwhelming hardship and adversity just as Job, in the Bible, endured immense suffering but maintained his Faith in God. Nothing could be more true of our Mom. She was never without the sweetest smile for anyone she met. She loved her family fiercely and was very protective of her children. She would have given her life at any moment for any one of them and was always in their corner no matter what. She loved her grandchildren and great-grand children very much and from the moment her first grandchild was born, she was no longer mom, she was Nanny. Before her beloved husband Johnny passed away, she loved to sing Karaoke with him and their large circle of friends, go on their standing Saturday night date to dinner and shopping for the week ahead and going on road trips together.

During her life, Lea Ann ran a store with her first husband, was a busy homemaker & mom, then worked primarily in healthcare. She worked at the nursing home in Caraway, then later attended South Central Career College where she became a certified Medical Transcriptionist. She maintained a 4.0 GPA and earned the distinction of class Valedictorian all while being a wife and a mom raising 3 kids. She managed a medical office, transcribed for several area physicians, and then later went to work for Baptist Health Systems (now Great River Medical Center) in both Osceola and Blytheville, and lastly for NEA Baptist in Jonesboro. She was working towards her degree in Health Information Management when she became disabled. During her time with the Baptist System, she met many friends who became like family to her. She was heavily involved in several charities with her work friends in Osceola, singing at events, putting on plays & fundraising events and it was here that Lea Ann had some of the happiest years of her life, including meeting her second husband Johnny and building a new life that she loved. She also had lifelong friends from Caraway High School where she was a Caraway Tiger through and through.

Lea Ann was a member of the Milligan Ridge Baptist Church. She also spent many years as a member of both Monette Church of Christ and Caraway Church of Christ, as well as attending at Caraway First Baptist. Her Faith in God was the cornerstone of her life.
Lea Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny D. Smithey; one son, Terrence Wayne Wallace; her father, Calvin Jackson; her grandparents Audrey and Mary Lou Hoskins Marshall and Roe and Lillie Irene Hicks Jackson.

Lea Ann is survived by her daughter, Ashley Elinburg (John) of Monette, AR; sons Wes Wallace (Kasy) of Caraway, AR; Clinton Wallace (Ashtin) of Grubbs, AR, bonus children Geri Lynn Bishop (Danny) of Wilson, AR and Skipper Smithey (Vicky) of Wilson, AR. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Asher Elinburg, Austin Elinburg, Kiefer Elinburg, Lucas Elinburg, Gabriella Lea Ann Elinburg, Madison Wallace, Payton Wallace, Harper Rhea Wallace, Hadley Ann Wallace, and Hudson Wallace. Bonus grandchildren Della Rai and Creed Barker, Madison, Chase and Cole Cates, and Kason Rhodes, Ethan Parish, Brantlee Bishop, Matt Smithey and Gracie Smithey, as well as 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving mother Patricia (Pat) Jackson of Caraway, AR, her sister and brother-in-law Robin (Keith) Haddock of Caraway, AR and brother and sister-in-law Rodney (Jennifer) Jackson of Lake City, AR, as well as a large circle of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly, also several aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel, with burial to follow at Monette Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked to please consider donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation.