Roberta Lucille Smith's Obituary
Roberta Lucille (nee Horton) Smith, age 95, of Rogers passed away quietly and into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early January 14, in Springdale, Arkansas. She was born December 2, 1930, in Harriet, Arkansas, daughter of Ray Anderson and Gertrude “Gertie” Arizona (nee Sutterfield) Horton. She was preceded in death by her husband James Hanford Smith, her older brother Talmadge Horton of Wichita, Kansas, and her younger brother Travis Horton of St. Peters, Missouri. Roberta was devout and uncompromising in her personal relationship with Jesus. She was an important, foundational member of her church, Faith Community Church, in House Springs, Missouri. Roberta taught Sunday School pre-school, for 71 years. Her first class teaching was in her hometown of Big Flat, Arkansas in 1948 at age 18. Her last class was in January 2020, at age 89. During her long tenure she reached thousands of young children in their hearts and minds to tell the story of Jesus and encourage them individually to learn about and how to love their Lord and Savior. Roberta served her congregation’s Golden Agers (55+) ministry with many trips and retreats in the St Louis area. Some notable trips include Lake of the Ozarks Assembly of God Camp, Branson events and shows. Roberta accompanied her husband James in their church’s construction ministry for (5) rural churches in Mexico. Roberta and her Women’s Ministry worked with the local children to foster the congregations, while the Men’s Ministry constructed the physical churches. Many years of updates and follow-ups assured these churches remained well-founded. Roberta visited Alaska on her one and only “vacation”, accompanied by James, his younger brother Benford, and her sister-in-law Maxine Smith of Clarksville, Arkansas. Roberta worked very hard for many years, (of what other people call their “retirement”), to care for, look after, and aid neighbors, fellow church members, and family members in their later life. Some might say Roberta was “obsessive” to make certain that “her people” and those around her were cared for, contacted regularly, and never, ever forgotten. At 4’-8”, with severe arthritis, Roberta was an exceptional basketball player (right guard position), and out-dribbled anyone who dared test her.
2 / 2Roberta was always very enthusiastic to ride the pontoon boat on Beaver Lake. Her favorite route on the lake was to motor 3 miles up-lake above Horseshoe Bend, set the trolling motor, and drift with the prevailing SW wind back to Horseshoe Bend Marina, watching the buzzards, eagles soaring along cliffs, and stripers balling shad in open water. Roberta is survived by her daughter Sharon (nee Smith) Brinley and son-in-law, Doug Brinley of Rogers, Arkansas, sister-in-law Louise (nee Jessen) Horton of St Peters, Missouri, and literally dozens of nieces and nephews, all of whom held positions of profound importance in her heart and memory. Internment will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Circle of Life in memory of Roberta Lucille Smith to support patient care and family services at Circle of Life, 901 Jones Road, Springdale AR 72762 or https://www.GiveToCircle.org
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