Ruby Lugene Smith

Lugene Smith was welcomed home by her Savior on January 7, 2022. Ruby Lugene Haynes was born April 19, 1927 to Melvin and Mittie Stratton Haynes near Ravenden, AR. She was the second child and eldest daughter in a family including four boys and six girls. She grew up and attended school near Ravenden, AR., including Oak Leaf School, and later attended Moran School near College Station (Walnut Ridge), AR. Being captivated by her beautiful blue eyes, L.V. Smith sought and gained her hand in marriage April 28, 1945.

While raising four sons, Lugene and L.V. farmed and attended church in the Fender community and each earned their General Education Degree (GED). They later bought their own farm and moved their family to near Light, AR. Always beside her husband in farming, Lugene also worked outside the home at Grahams Clothing Store in Walnut Ridge, where she became known for her seamstress skills, and at a local handbag factory for a number of years. She used her excellent skills to sew for people throughout local communities, including numerous pageant, bridal and bridesmaid dresses fashioned and created by Lugene. Of course, she made Easter dresses and more for her granddaughters each year and cute shirts and outfits for her grandsons. Also known by many for her pie making ability, she enjoyed making each son and daughter-in-law their favorite pie or cobbler at family gatherings. Her grandchildren remember their favorite homemade jelly and the hand sewn toys she loved to make. Each grandchild also got their own handmade quilt.

Lugene always enjoyed reading and studying her Bible and being involved with her church family. As a member of Pruett’s Chapel at Light, she often taught Sunday School over the years. With their knowledge of carpentry, she and L. V. were often working on church projects. Loving to sing at church, Lugene and L. V. often attended gospel singings. She enjoyed this so much that she purchased an organ for her home and taught herself to play after age sixty-five. After retiring from farming, she and L. V. enjoyed traveling to visit family and to fish. She never retired from sewing until she could no longer see to operate her machines.

Lugene was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-five years L. V. Smith; brothers Harvey, Kenneth, Cecil and R. L. Haynes; sisters Marcella Milligan, Ozella Green and Iva Ruth Ball; and her first and beloved daughter-in-law Mary Frances McAnulty Smith.
She is survived by sisters Lucille Springer of St. Louis, MO. and Sheila Hinson of Paragould and by numerous nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her four sons; Gary of Forrest City and his daughters Kim Soper, Jennifer Petty and Lori Garrett; Randall and Brenda of Russellville and children Sarah Green, Stephen, Ben, and Eric Smith: Keith and Gina of Walcott and children Josh, Meredith and Seth Smith; Terry and Melanie of Walcott and children Natalie Parsley and Clay Smith; and sixteen great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 10 at the Mt. Zion cemetery near Walcott, AR. by Heath Funeral Home of Paragould. Brother Nathan Gramling, pastor at Walcott Baptist Church will be officiating. Granddaughter Natalie Parsley will sing and Lugene’s grandsons will be the pallbearers.