Lorene D Smith, age 87 of Malvern, died Saturday, January 9, 2010 in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. She was born in Malvern on March 10, 1922 to the late Vernon and Madge Taylor Phillips. Reared and receiving her early education in Malvern, she was a graduate of Henderson State Teachers College (now Henderson State University ). She was a retired school teacher, having taught in the Gifford school district. Mrs. Smith was a member of Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she taught the teenage Sunday School Class for many years. She loved poetry, raised beautiful roses, was a wonderful cook, and lived to help others. Mrs. Smith was the widow of the late Forest "Red" Smith, to whom she was married on December 1, 1945 in Benton , Arkansas . He preceded her in death on April 17, 2001.

She is survived by her daughters, Suzy and her husband Paul Draper, and Jane Evans, all of Malvern; by two brothers, Bo and his wife Jeanette Phillips, and C. M. and his wife Anna Phillips, all of Malvern; by a sister, Odell Bartlett of Camden; by four grandchildren, Paula Paul, Nikki Draper, Russell Evans, and Dennis and his wife, Stefanie Evans; and by four great-grandchildren, Breana Evans, Aaron Evans, and Layne and Haley Evans; and by a special friend, Marvin Evans.

Mrs. Smith was also preceded in death by a brother, Max R. "Chip" Phillips.

Her funeral will be at the graveside at Fairplay Cemetery on Monday, January 11, 2010 at two o'clock in the afternoon with Brothers Wesley Howard and Donis Smead officiating.

Honorary pallbearers are: Drs. Ray Bollen, Carlos Rivas, Dylan Thaxton, and Bruce Burton.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.