Mr. Joseph Manuel Smith of Harrisburg, departed this life on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, with family at his side, at the age of 86.
He was born December 23, 1937 in Harrisburg, the son of the late Robert Lee Smith and Alma Austin Smith.
Joey was a highly sought after heavy equipment crain/dragline operator. He dug many ditches and dredged all around in many different states. He even dug up prehistoric bones of a Mastadon in 1999 on the Little Bay Ditch (for full story go to Kings Mastadon at ASU Museum) where he was recognized for it. Joey married Lucille Chandler on November 3, 1957 and they enjoyed 67 years together. Joey loved to collect and rebuild International Scouts and folks would travel great distances to get parts from him. He loved John Deere memorabilia. Joey was an excellent mechanic. His kids thought he should have been a Banker for as many loans as he floated.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Logan Smith and Sherman Smith, and two sisters, Alma Jean McKellar and Oma Smith. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lucille Smith of the home, three sons, Stanley Smith, Michael Smith and wife Jennifer, and Charlie Smith and wife Shannon, all of Harrisburg, two daughters, Anita Sanders and husband Merv of Rosie, AR and Melissa Lewis and husband Tony of Amagon, four granddaughters, Amanda Miller and husband Farrell, Morgan Walker and husband Wade, and Caroline Smith and Natalie Smith, three grandsons, Steven Sanders, Connor Smith and Tony Lewis, II, three great grandchildren, Nicole, David and Austin Pitcher, five brothers, John Dee Smith and wife Barbara, Rodger Smith and wife Darla, Robert Dale Smith, Jimmy Smith and Stevie Smith, and one sister, Mary Irvin.
Funeral services are set for Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., at the Gregg-Weston Funeral Home in Harrisburg, with Rev. Maurice Redden officiating. Burial will follow in Bolivar Cemetery near Harrisburg. Friends may visit at the funeral home Saturday, 2:00 p.m. till service time. Pallbearers will be Michael Smith, Charlie Smith, Tony Lewis, Merv Sanders, Gary Smith and Michael Irvin. Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers and his coffee drinking buddies.
The family would like to send a special thank you out to Elite Hospice and the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House, both in Jonesboro. They would also like to extend love and gratitude to their uncle Bob Chandler for being a great friend, a wonderful Brother in law and a true prayer warrior. And especially for all the coffee! In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bolivar Cemetery Fund, c/o Donna Morgan, P.O. box 65 Harrisburg, AR 72432