Obituary for Beatrice Laverne Smith (Pledger)
Beatrice Laverne Smith, aka "Bea-Dog", "Granny Bea", "that Little Cutie", and from her childhood "Bo-diddle", 93, of Dalton, Arkansas, who never met a stranger in this life, decided to take her incredible power of kindness, consideration and joy into the afterlife, on Thursday, August 20, 2020. Bea, as she commonly known, was born on May 23, 1927, in Monroe, Arkansas, to Lewis Remble Pledger and Ollie Vaster Evans Pledger.
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Although Bea did not pursue traditional jobs, she chose to tackle the most difficult and rewarding job of them all, mother, wife, and homemaker. She did regularly work at a cotton gin in Memphis during the cotton season, fulfilled her creative side by helping decorate floats for the Cotton Parade, worked regularly in various positions in her church, and took an active part in PTA meetings during her children's school years.
Her family is absolutely sure she is telling her husband of over fifty years, Fred Smith, who preceded her on this journey by nineteen years, all the significant, and insignificant, events he missed out on by moving on a bit earlier.
Bea leaves behind three sisters, Jeweline Gatlin, of Chula Vista, California, Mary Hauptman, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Patsy Williams, of Ringgold Georgia; a daughter, Joanne Smith Hadley; a Son and daughter in law, Randy and Marguerite Smith; two grandsons, Justin (Mary) Hadley and Robert W. Hadley Jr., three great-grandsons; Duncan Keith Hadley, Joseph Kincaid Hadley & Cody (Kristi) Reynolds; one grand-daughter; Amy Sorkin (Bill) Crewe , two great-granddaughters; Melissa Jean (Travis) Bentley and Caroline Ann Hadley, Five great-great-grand-children; Zander, Karsyn, Addyson, Zoey and Cameron; and more kids, grandkids, great- grandkids, etc. of the four legged furry kind. In addition to her direct family, Bea’s extended family is so large and so spread out that we can honestly say they cover the entire United States!
Bea’s love of life was well known and will be both missed and celebrated by all who knew her, loved her and will keep her memory close to their hearts. She was a longtime member of the Red Hatters, the honorary Mayor of Dalton, and an avid learner of new age dances, like the Floss, taught to her by her great grandson Kincaid. (The lady could cut a mean rug, I’m here to tell ya!)
Perhaps Bea’s greatest gift was not taking herself too seriously. She would be the first to tell you to laugh at yourself. Laugh hard, laugh long, and love your family.
All services will be held in the chapel of the Fears Family Funeral Home, in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Bea’s funeral service will immediately follow, beginning at 3:00 pm; Calvin Botard, officiating. Burial will follow in the Upshaw Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Bea, and her family, would appreciate donations to the Defenders of Wildlife (she did love those furry kids…) or to your local humane society.
COVID-19 restrictions are in effect. Those attending must follow the directives issued by the Governor of Arkansas that include, but are not limited to, the following: wearing a face covering, signing the contact registry, and maintaining social distancing at all times.
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Although Bea did not pursue traditional jobs, she chose to tackle the most difficult and rewarding job of them all, mother, wife, and homemaker. She did regularly work at a cotton gin in Memphis during the cotton season, fulfilled her creative side by helping decorate floats for the Cotton Parade, worked regularly in various positions in her church, and took an active part in PTA meetings during her children's school years.
Her family is absolutely sure she is telling her husband of over fifty years, Fred Smith, who preceded her on this journey by nineteen years, all the significant, and insignificant, events he missed out on by moving on a bit earlier.
Bea leaves behind three sisters, Jeweline Gatlin, of Chula Vista, California, Mary Hauptman, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Patsy Williams, of Ringgold Georgia; a daughter, Joanne Smith Hadley; a Son and daughter in law, Randy and Marguerite Smith; two grandsons, Justin (Mary) Hadley and Robert W. Hadley Jr., three great-grandsons; Duncan Keith Hadley, Joseph Kincaid Hadley & Cody (Kristi) Reynolds; one grand-daughter; Amy Sorkin (Bill) Crewe , two great-granddaughters; Melissa Jean (Travis) Bentley and Caroline Ann Hadley, Five great-great-grand-children; Zander, Karsyn, Addyson, Zoey and Cameron; and more kids, grandkids, great- grandkids, etc. of the four legged furry kind. In addition to her direct family, Bea’s extended family is so large and so spread out that we can honestly say they cover the entire United States!
Bea’s love of life was well known and will be both missed and celebrated by all who knew her, loved her and will keep her memory close to their hearts. She was a longtime member of the Red Hatters, the honorary Mayor of Dalton, and an avid learner of new age dances, like the Floss, taught to her by her great grandson Kincaid. (The lady could cut a mean rug, I’m here to tell ya!)
Perhaps Bea’s greatest gift was not taking herself too seriously. She would be the first to tell you to laugh at yourself. Laugh hard, laugh long, and love your family.
All services will be held in the chapel of the Fears Family Funeral Home, in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. A visitation will be held from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Bea’s funeral service will immediately follow, beginning at 3:00 pm; Calvin Botard, officiating. Burial will follow in the Upshaw Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Bea, and her family, would appreciate donations to the Defenders of Wildlife (she did love those furry kids…) or to your local humane society.
COVID-19 restrictions are in effect. Those attending must follow the directives issued by the Governor of Arkansas that include, but are not limited to, the following: wearing a face covering, signing the contact registry, and maintaining social distancing at all times.