Faber Smith

Faber "Dean" Smith , 91, of Russellville, died Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Russellville. The son of Thomas and Ezzie Leann (Dodd) Smith, he was born August 7, 1929, in Greenbrier, Arkansas.

Dean enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard and late the United States Navy. He rose to the rank of Chief Yeoman during both the Korean and Vietnam war eras over his highly-decorated 30-year military career. Following his military retirement, Dean earned an associate's degree from Little Rock School of Business and worked with the Arkansas State Revenue Department.

He was a member of the New Life United Pentecostal Church of Alma. Ministry and worship were important faith values to Dean and he served as a Sunday School Superintendent during part of his church life. He loved to travel, fish, collect knives, enjoyed carpentry work and loved to tinker with automobiles. In fact, he assembled his first truck in 1948, from the chassis up.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 68 years, Inez (Langford) Smith; and two brothers, Earl Smith and Smith.

He is survived by his two sons, Michael Smith (Margie) of Russellville, and Jeffrey Smith (Cathy) of Conway; four grandsons: Anthony Smith (Dana) of Tacoma, Washington; Andrew Smith (Amanda) of Little Rock; Christopher Smith (Jessica) of Conway; and, Nathan Smith (Ashley) of Cabot; and eleven beloved great grandchildren.

The family encourages you to make a donation in Dean's memory to Arkansas Youth UPCI, Sheaves for Christ, P.O. Box 250, Redfield, AR 72132.