Debra Smith

On March 24, 1959, Debra Smith was born in El Dorado, AR, to John Calvin Henry and Murphy Mae Smith Henry. She was raised and adopted by her mom Jo Ann Williams and her dad Malachi Williams at birth.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member at First St. James Missionary Baptist Church for many years.

Debra attended and graduated from El Dorado High School in 1977. After graduating, she attended South Arkansas Community College and obtained an Associate’s Degree. Debra then attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR, and majored in Social Work with a minor in Psychology. She worked for the State of Arkansas for 28 years, where she recently retired on May 31, 2021.

She was indeed an angel on Earth. Debra was kindhearted, selfless, caring, loving, and the list goes on. If she were having a horrible day, you would never know because she smiled through it all. Although she had three biological children, she had a special bond with all of them. The same went with her grandchildren as well. She truly loved each one of them and made sure she talked to them every day. Just a simple hello went a long way with every one of them. Debra made sure to keep her grandchildren busy daily and fed them well. If you were around her, you were going to stay entertained and full. She had a special gift for buying the best snacks.

On Tuesday, July 13, the Lord called Debra home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sister Sandra Henry, brothers Larry Henry and Troy Henry, and a special niece/sister Melissa Williams. She leaves to cherish her memories; two daughters, Nivea Smith of El Dorado, AR and Courtney Smith-Avery (Kevin) of Little Rock, AR; one son, Charles "Bubba" Smith Jr., one special nephew/brother Marlin Williams (Toria) of MCAS Cherry Point, NC, four sisters, Rosemarie Rodgers of Detroit, MI, Mildred Gilbert (Repo) of El Dorado, AR, Tanya Miller of Atlanta, GA, and Keela Jones of Texarkana, TX; 5 brothers; James Rodgers of El Dorado, AR, John Henry (Charlene) of El Dorado, AR, Michael Henry (Sharon) of Texarkana, TX, Todd Henry (Eileen) of El Dorado, AR, Stacy Henry of El Dorado, AR; grandchildren, Autumn Smith, Kimoni McMurray, Trenton Smith, Demarion Marbray, and Kolby Avery. One special son Harley Smith, and two special nieces Mikila Williams and Brianna Blackmon; several nieces and nephews.