Velma Frances Smith

Velma Frances Smith, 99, of Bexar, Arkansas, passed from this walk of life on Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Bexar.

She was born near Milfay in Creek County, Oklahoma, on March 30, 1924, oldest of three children born to George Bathus and Rosa Ella (Sublett) Smith.

Velma graduated from the 8^th grade in Bexar, Arkansas; Kellyville High School in Kellyville, Oklahoma; received her AA degree from Bristow Junior College, a branch of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma; and received her BSE and MSE degrees in Business Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

She taught Business Education in Viola High School in Viola, Arkansas; Charles Page High School in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and retired from Salem High School in Salem, Arkansas, in 1980. Velma was blessed to work with wonderful faculties and honored for her life to touch and be touched by so many students.

In her early teens, Velma accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour which was the most important decision she ever made. Her journey was blessed, and she found it a joy to worship, fellowship, and to study God’s WORD with so many. Velma became a member of Mitchell Assembly of God Church in 1953.

Her brother and sister, JL and Emma Faye shared with Velma the love of their families and she is survived by, JL and Wilma (Williams) Smith’s sons, Guy and his children, Misty and Mike Combs and Maxwell, Ashleigh and Brian Clendenin, Garrett and Kayla and Garand, J.L. and Raye Louise and Alex and Angela and Darrell and his wife Kelley and Emma Faye and Forrest Knapp’s sons, Roy and Bruce.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, JL and Wilma Smith and sister and brother-in-law, Emma Faye and Forrest Knapp.

Pallbearers include: Guy Smith, Darrell Smith, Roy Knapp, Bruce Knapp, Garrett Smith, Alex Smith and Bill Porterfield

Funeral Services will be held, Sunday, July 23, 2023, beginning at 2:30 PM at Mitchell Assembly of God Church in Mitchell, Arkansas, with Rev. Steve Neal officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow the service in Mitchell Cemetery.