of Leslie, AR
January 3, 1922 - May 11, 2015
Lillie Faye ''Susie'' Smith, age 93 of Leslie, Arkansas passed from this life on Monday, May 11, 2015 at her home surrounded by her children, ''who rise up and call her blessed.'' She will be missed by all. She was born in Oxley, Arkansas on January 3rd, 1922 to Matt Massey and Bertha (Fendley) Massey.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jesse; and six siblings: Glen, Clyde, Zeb, John Thomas, Jimmie and Midge. Also preceding her in death were a son, Dwight Douglas and a granddaughter, Cecily.
Lillie Faye Smith was called Mama Susie by grands, great grands and other people in Leslie, as well as many young people who grew up in her home and ate at her table. All were welcomed.
Susie Massey and Jesse Smith were married April 3, 1942. To this very stable marriage and loving union were born eight children: Dwight Douglas, Wesley, Sandra, Wayne, Sam, Gordon, David and Paige. Jesse preceded Susie in death in 1967, and after 25 years of marriage Mama Susie became a single parent. She professed faith in Jesus Christ at age twenty-seven and was a member of Leslie First Baptist Church for sixty-six years. Mama Susie's work history was amazing. It included being a ''Rosie Riveter'' during WWII and owning and operating the Dairy Diner in Leslie. When asked if she had advice for her grandchildren on managing money she said, ''Tell them to not spend it!'' Her other jobs included pulling teeth, performing ''minor surgeries,'' counseling, chauffeuring and mending broken hearts. Mama Susie expressed her love by providing delicious foods and a warm welcoming place to gather, her very favorite things in life. She expressed at the end of her life that she wanted these gatherings to continue, ''at least once a year, and be happy and have a good time, and don't hold grudges.'' Mama Susie lived independently until December 16, 2014, among family and friends in Leslie, ''under her elms,'' cooking and serving others and enjoying every minute of it. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Susie's granddaughter, Kelsey, who brought her home to spend her last week ''under her elms'', surrounded by friends and family as she took that final step. We are grateful to all who helped, too many to mention. ''Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.'' Proverbs 31:28. We believe that Mama Susie has been reunited with family and friends and her beloved Jesse. ''Absent from the body; present with the Lord.'' 2 Corinthians 5:8.
Survivors include her children, Wesley (Loretta) Smith, Sandra (Tom) Knapp, Wayne (Sandy) Smith, Sam (Mavis) Smith, Gordon (Debra) Smith, David (Connie) Smith and Paige Smith; stepdaughter, Patty (Bill) Culley; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; uncle, Max Fendley; three sisters-in-law, Peggy, Bennie and Kim; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. All of Susie's grandchildren think they are her ''favorite'' and she loved her daughters-in-law and son-in-law as if they were her own children.
Funeral services for Susie will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 13th, 2015 at Roller-Coffman Funeral Home in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Chris Reade and Bro. Tommy Jolly officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 till 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 in the Chapel. Burial will be in Leslie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wesley Smith, Wayne Smith, Sam Smith, Gordon Smith, David Smith and Tom Knapp. Honorary pallbearers will be Susie's grandsons, Wade Smith, Steven Smith, Jason Smith, Jess Knapp, Matt Smith, Caleb Smith, Luke Smith and Weston Smith. Memorials may be made to the Leslie First Baptist Church or the Leslie Cemetery Fund through Simmons Bank.
Not just the loss of a wonderful lady, but another part of our history. The leaves of her generation have almost all fallen, and how the landscape is changed. Our condolences to Susie's family.
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Miss Susie. She was a wonderful woman that will be missed by all that knew her. All of Miss Susie's family will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with all of you during this time.
so sorry to hear about you guys loss... moms are so special..thoughts and prayers are with you..
Smith Family,
We were so sorry to hear about the loss of Susie.
Our prayers are with all of you.
May the Lord comfort you all
in your loss.
i thank the Lord for making mine and miss susie's paths cross.she was such a caring andloving person. i played bingo a few times with her and i know she loved her bingo. R.I.P. miss susie, you will be missed by me and many many others.
Our condolences to all the family.
Someone has some big shoes to fill in Leslie, AR!
What a sweet sweet lady. Mama Susie shared her love and her food to all who stopped by. Many wonderful memories of her while growing up there. Our thoughts and prayers for all the family. Heaven is really sweeter with her there.
Mrs Susie was a very kind and loving Lady. When she meets you it's with open arms and heart. Her door was always open and you can bet if she had something inkitchn you were going to eat
What a Legacy Susie Smith leaves behind.
She was a Legend in her Own time. Her Door and heart were open to all that would enter her Home.
Susie is an example of what a Mother's Love could accomplish. Raising her Children after becoming a Widow.
Not asking for Hand-outs, rather working to make a living and providing a Home for her Children.
Her love for Bingo comes to mind. Remember when she worked at Misty's for awhile. Said, she did it for Bingo money.Took trips on the Bingo Bus to OK. Truth be told, she loved working and associating with people as much as she loved Bingo.
I feel certain that work ethic, being a wonderful cook and baker and love of Family will live on and be passed on
for Generations to come by her heirs.
God Rest Her Soul and Bring Comfort to her Family and all that grieve her loss.
Sending my deepest sympathy to all the family. May God comfort you in your loss
Wesley and Loretta: I was so sorry to hear about your mother. I didn't know she had passed away when I was talking to both of you today. She was really a nice person and I know you are going to miss her terribly but she is with God now and in a better place. We all go through this at some time in our life and no matter how old you are and how old your parents are, it is still so hard to give them up. I miss my parents every single day but God helps us all through this time of sadness. Also to the family, look to God for strength at this sad time.
So sorry for your loss.
We are thinking about all of you and if there is
anything we can do we are close at hand.
we are so sorry for your loss you will be in our prayers
What a wonderful lady heaven just received! Always a smile on her face and a big hug for me, whenever I would see her. My mom had such wonderful memories of working at the diner with Susie. Always made her happy to tell of their stories. Please know, I hold all of her family, in my heart, thoughts and prayers.
Paige we want to send our Condolences to you and your Family during the loss of yalls dear Sweet Mother Prayin for yall in the days to come Love Bobby &NANCYE Rigdon
What a wonderful obituary for a wonderful person! And, it has been preceded by other beautiful original tributes written by her sons and daughters which were carefully hung in places of honor on her walls. Mama Susie included us as a part of her "loving family" and we are grateful. She will be missed by everyone she extended her loving kindness to. The significance of Proverbs 31 is enhanced by this family...her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as they Rise Up to join their father in her praises. We will all miss you but are stronger for what you have give us. We love you. Sally and Don
As Chester Proctor would say, "I have been knowing Susie for many, many years and she ALWAYS had a smile and a good word to say". You children will surely miss her.
What a wonderful legacy she left. I remember that she was looked up to & respected by all who knew her. My condolences to all the family
Paulette
Wesley and family we are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers
My thoughts and Prayers for all the family. ..I have good memories of Susie ...Going to the Dairy Diner was the place to be back in the day...What a wonderful lady and will be missed. ....
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. Take heart in knowing she was ready to meet her Lord and Savior and is in no more pain.
‘Miss Susie’ A Pillar of her community. She was the glue that helped hold things together. I would see her as one to now be at the right hand of the Maker and will finally be in a well-deserved peaceful rest.
My thoughts are with the family during this time. I know it's difficult but the precious memories are plentiful. I stopped by to visit Mama Susie the last time I was in town and I'm glad I did. She will be missed by many.
Condolences to all of the family of this beautiful , sweet woman . She was always so kind to everyone and treated everybody like family. She always made me feel like family. I know she will be missed by many. God Bless !!
Sorry for your lost, she will be missed by everyone . She was a great lady, She always had a big smile and kind heart . Prayers for all
I am praying for peace and comfort for you . I still remember all the times that I got a delicious milk shake at the diner. Such "sweet memories". Rest assured that she is not suffering now but is smiling and healed in the arms of Jesus. Hold tight to all the wonderful memories as they will be of comfort for you in the days ahead.
Pam Breedlove
Clinton
CJHS
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. What a blessing Mama Susie was to us all.
My heart goes out to all of you I have a lot of good memories of Susie at the diner when I worked their she will be missed by many
Wanted to let you each know you are being thought of and prayed for. May your wonderfully warm memories support you during this time. With love, Lucinda
To all the family, my prayers & thoughts are with you during this time. She was a "GREAT LADY" & enjoyed her family & friends so much. She will be missed by so many but especially by all of you.