of Clarksville, AR
September 29, 1933 - March 9, 2025
Henry Benford Smith, age 91, of Clarksville, Arkansas passed from this earthly life on Sunday, March 9th, 2025 at Legacy Heights Nursing and Rehab in Russellville, Arkansas. He was born in Big Flat, Arkansas on September 29th, 1933 the youngest of 14 children born to John Henry and Fannie Jane Sutterfield Smith.
Benford graduated from Big Flat High School in 1952. Shortly after his graduation, he was drafted into the military. As a result of the time he spent serving his country, he became a proud veteran of the U.S. Army along with seven older brothers that too were Army veterans. Upon his departure from the Army, he met and married Edith Maxine Daugherty on March 15, 1958. After he married, with the encouragement of his new wife, Benford decided to attend college as an opportunity provided him by the GI Bill. In 1962, he graduated from Arkansas State Teacher's College (now University of Central Arkansas) in Conway, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree. He later attended graduate school at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. The time Benford spent working on his education degree afforded him the opportunity to make a lasting impact on hundreds of young people that he would cross paths with in his future. In the Fall of 1962, he started his teaching career with the Big Flat School District (which later became Tri-County School District). He spent the next 32 years helping to mold and shape his students' minds to become productive citizens to their communities. He spent countless hours teaching ''shop'' and ''woodworking'' to students. Some may even still have their projects like his own children do. Another part of his day was spent teaching the subject he had a passion for……American History. All the students in school affectionally called him ''Mr. B'' and he was proud of every student that crossed his path. As unforgiving and unrelentless as dementia is on a person's ''here and now'', it could never erase one of his proudest memories. Until his last days, he was still immensely proud (and told everybody that listened) of the year that he was selected by the students as ''Best Liked and Most Strict Teacher'' all in the same year for the yearbook. He always said that this was because he followed the ''firm but fair'' method of teaching. In addition to teaching, Benford and Maxine had a farm with cattle and for 32 years grew broilers for both Con-Agra and Pilgrim's Pride. He also served as Mayor for the City of Big Flat, was on the Board of Directors of Ozark Opportunities, a member of the American Legion, a member of the Rising Sun Lodge in Big Flat, a Perpetual member of the Lindsey Lodge in Leslie, Arkansas and was a 32nd degree Mason.
Preceding Benford in death were his parents, John Henry and Fannie Jane Sutterfield Smith; brothers, Johnny, Rufus, Arlis, Arvil, Luster, Roy, Clarence, Joseph G. and Hanford; sisters, Easter Wallace, Barbara Busby, Ruby Wilkins and Ruth Dye and one infant daughter, Karen Smith.
Survivors to cherish his memories are his wife, Maxine Daugherty Smith of Clarksville; children, Laura Jayne Green (Rick) of Calico Rock and Gregory Lynn Smith (Pam) of Greers Ferry; grandchildren, Courtney Wilkins (Billy Joe) of Lamar, Kyle Green (Kaci) of Clarksville, Cody Green (Lindsay) of Prairie Grove, Corey Green (Ashley) of Dacula, Georgia, Mitchell Smith of Conway and Matthew Smith of El Paso, Texas and 10 great-grandchildren, Josie, Abby, Mayci and Jaylea Wilkins, Kinley, Karsyn and Kam Green, Ty and Maybree Green and Sophia Smith.
Graveside services for Benford will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 at Big Flat Cemetery in Big Flat, Arkansas. Grandchildren will serve as bearers and great-grandchildren will serve as honorary bearers.
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27 Condolence(s)
Mark Treat
Thursday, March 13, 2025
What a life! Thank you Mr. B. Condolences to all of the family.
Doyle Martin
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Mr. B and Betty Rose were co-sponsors of our Big Flat senior class of '64, and his brother, Luster had been Superintendent before Benford arrived. The Smiths were great people, firm but kind teachers and administrators. So long, Mr. B, see ya later.
Ruth Franklin
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
To Mr. B’s family: You are in my thoughts and prayers for comfort at this sad time. We all have happy memories of Mr. B and he was well liked and deeply respected as both a teacher and a friend.
Sherry Rose Loyd
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
I was saddened to read about Mr. B’s passing. Prayers for your family and what a legacy he leaves.
Sherry Rose Loyd
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
I was saddened to read about Mr. B’s passing. Prayers for your family and what a legacy he leaves.
Shawn and Bryon( Jackson) Sutterfield
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
He was loved but the Sutterfield family, he will be missed. Rest easy MrB
Clara Foshee
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Prayers of comfort for family and friends
Jessie (Gilley) Bruner
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
My deepest sympathy to Mr. B’s family and friends. He indeed shaped many lives, including my own. He lived an admirable life and lived it with joy. May God give you peace and comfort.
Mary Ellen Sneed
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
What a wonderful life he experienced. Prayers for the family.
Michael massey
Monday, March 10, 2025
Sorry to hear this my condolences to the family
Zebbie Sisk Tabor
Monday, March 10, 2025
Great memories of Mr. B. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers
Annette MCGowan Sanders
Monday, March 10, 2025
So sorry to hear one of my favorite teaches has passed. He told my class once, if someone offered you money to vote for them to take the money and vote how you want to vote. He was a great techer.
Linda Laffoon
Monday, March 10, 2025
Condolences to the family and I'll keep you in my prayers he was a great man in my book
Diana Chadwick
Monday, March 10, 2025
So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
George Sutterfield
Monday, March 10, 2025
So sorry to hear of Mr. B's passing. He stood real tall in life and was my cousin. He was our one of our 1964 Big Flat High School graduating class sponsors and accompanied us to Branson Missouri on our class trip. Many people are better at what they do today because he touched their life in so many ways back in school. He taught so many different subjects and was able to provide individual and fair attention to the students. Prayers to the family.
Stephanie Thompson Cannon
Monday, March 10, 2025
So sorry to hear about Mr B! He was one of the good ones and will be remembered
Doug and Brenda Treat
Monday, March 10, 2025
Our deepest condolences to your family.
Tamara Littlejohn
Monday, March 10, 2025
Im the Granddaughter of Rufus. Grandma Ruth will a have big breakfast on the table for Benford,Dad(Jim), grandpa and the rest of the brothers. Oh the stories that will be told. Sorry for your loss . Love from your Indiana family
Eddie and Pam Cannada
Monday, March 10, 2025
Our deepest sympathy to Maxine and all the family. Benford was a good man and will be well remembered. Prayers for Gods comfort.
Karen Kay Balentine Knight
Monday, March 10, 2025
Prayer for the family
Kathy Baker
Monday, March 10, 2025
Love and Prayers
Stacey and Sherri Treat
Monday, March 10, 2025
Fredia Anderson Ragland
Monday, March 10, 2025
He was one of the best. Lots of good memories Will never forget that smile and that laugh,,
Don thomas
Monday, March 10, 2025
Mt. B will be greatly missed by all who knew him. D.T
Mike and Donna Treat
Monday, March 10, 2025
So sorry to hear about Benford passing away. We thought a lot of him and Maxine when they lived here. Praying for all the family at this sorrowful time.
Tim & Pam Massey
Monday, March 10, 2025
was sorry to learn of Benford's passing, he was always friendly and smiling where I saw him; praying for comfort for all that loved him
Sharon Sartin
Monday, March 10, 2025
Praying for the family. Mr. B was a great role model and teacher. I'm blessed to have been one of his many students. May God keep the family wrapped in His hands during the coming days.