Roy Eugene Smith

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Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Bee Branch Baptist Church
11500 Hwy 65 South.
Bee Branch, AR  72013
Saturday, June 15, 2024
10:00 am
Roy Eugene Smith

of Bee Branch, AR

December 3, 1940 - June 11, 2024

In Loving Memory of Roy E. Smith (Dec. 3, 1940 June 11, 2024)
Roy E. Smith (Poppa) of Bee Branch, Arkansas passed on to the next life June 11, 2024.

Roy was born in Rusk, Texas and spent his early years traveling with the family, as his father worked as a pipefitter during WWII in South and East Texas. He completed High School in Sweeny, Texas in 1959, subsequently picking up various skills as a pipeline worker, truck driver, field hand and eventually working as an instrument technician for Dow Chemical in Houston.

In 1965, Roy took a job with the Arkansas Kraft Division of Green Bay Packing, building a papermill in Morrilton, Arkansas, and moved his family to Bee Branch. He would remain with that company for the next 37 years until his retirement in 2002. During his tenure with the papermill, Roy attended numerous technical schools for electrical and analog instrumentation, diagnostics and maintenance, ending his career as one of the premier maintenance and instrument technicians in the company. The mill workers at Kraft had a saying about Roy, after his many years in the maintenance department, ''If you want it done right, call Roy. If you want it done fast, call someone else.''.

Roy married Sandra A. Perry of Old Ocean, Texas, Aug. 24, 1960 and remained by her side until her death in May 2023.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jason A. Smith; brothers, Dale Smith, Randy Smith, Charlie Smith and sister, Joy McKnight.

He is survived by brother, Hal Smith; sisters, Pat Thomas and Jan Florez and five children, Roger E. Smith, John P. Smith, Christopher J. Smith, Terrance D. Smith and Julie A. Tobey. Roy was the patriarch of a large family, with 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. When he did sit down to watch a NASCAR race on TV, he always had a baby on his lap. He was called ''Poppa'' by his kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all of the neighbor kids.

Being raised on farms in East Texas, Roy picked up a knack for repair of household and farm equipment. He was known throughout the area as the guy to ask if you needed to know how to fix something. It really didn't matter what it was: washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, pumps, cars, trucks, tractors, farm implements, lawn mowers, chainsaws, roofs, foundations, drywall, trim work, carpet, flooring, electrical, plumbing, anything. Whatever it was, he knew something about how to do it or how to fix it. As one friend of the family once noted, ''We can always ask Roy. If he doesn't know it, it probably doesn't need to be known.''.
Roy's favorite hobby was dirt track racing. He could rebuild a small block Chevy engine with his eyes closed. He was well-known at the dirt tracks in the area as the go-to guy when you had an engine problem. He spent two decades helping young drivers get their cars on the track. He loved watching the races. While he didn't do as much actual wrench turning in his retirement years, he was always happy to advise, observe and tell you how you were doing it wrong.
The most memorable thing about Roy is that he was a good neighbor. Any one of the children will recall hundreds of instances of where he would grab his tool pouch and head to a neighbor's house to fix a washing machine or a water pump. Regardless of someone's status or station, personal circumstances or history, if he could help, he would help.

Services for Roy are being held at the Bee Branch Baptist Church, Bee Branch, Arkansas, June 15, 2024, at 10 a.m..


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13 Condolence(s)
Jerri McCrary
Conway, AR
Liked
Sunday, June 16, 2024

May love, peace and comfort be with your family, friends and loved ones. To the Smith family, I send my deepest sympathy. I’m sure He will be missed by so many.
Jerri Roe -McCrary
Kasey’s Grandmother.

Mandy Linn
Shirley, AR
Liked
Saturday, June 15, 2024

I'm so sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers as you lay Roy to rest.

N. Ezell
, CA
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

Love ya, papa daddy. I hope you and Grammy are both happy where you are.

Ed Roller
Morrilton, AR
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

I have known Roy and the Smith family since 1977. In high school I likely dpent more time at his house than my own. He and Miss Sandra were always good to me and everyone I have seen. After my tour in the Navy, Roy called me and introduced me to Arkansas Kraft with a possible job offer. I went and ended up getting the job where he took me under his wing and taught me so much. I am forever grateful to him and his family for being in my life and allowing me in theirs. He will be missed.

Darline Brady Smith
Alexandria, LA
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

Roger and family- so very sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Y’all have always held a special place in your Louisiana cousins’ hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with y’all.

Laura Lin
Bee Branch, AR
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

Julie, I am so saddened to about your father. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. Praying for peace and comfort.

Paula nixoy
BEE BRANCH, AR
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

I am so. Sorry for your loss I loved your parents they were always so nice to me i will be praying for all of yall

Johnny Case
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

Rebekah Ball Redus
Benton, AR
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

I am so sorry for your family’s loss. He was a very good man. I have lots of memories of him and your mama. Great people.

Phyllis Tumbleson McMillen
Bee Branch, AR
Liked
Friday, June 14, 2024

To the Smith family. I am so sorry for your loss. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all

Les Smith
Damascus, AR
Liked
Thursday, June 13, 2024

Dear Smith Family:
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and Prayers
Les Smith

Stephanie Jackson
Bull Shoals, AR
Liked
Thursday, June 13, 2024

To our beloved Papa Daddy - we will miss you deeply.

Roger Eugene Smith
Houston, AR
Liked
Thursday, June 13, 2024

We will miss you Dad.