William Thomas (Jaker) Smith, age 94, of Banks, Arkansas went to his heavenly home on March 6, 2022 at Dalton’s Place in Fordyce, Arkansas.
Jaker was born in the Pattsville community, near Hermitage, on May 1, 1927 to John Riley and Nancy Forrest Smith.
He was preceded in death by his wife of seventy years Georgia Mae Hooks Smith; his parents; four brothers: Erma L., Curtis, Dempsey, and Cloyce Smith; two sisters: Allie Montgomery and Zadie Kitchens.
He is survived by his four daughters and their spouses: Linda McDiarmid (Danny) of Banks; Rebecca (Becky) Poole (Tommy) of Eudora; Judy Vickers (Jerry) of Jacksonville, North Carolina; and Penny Van Der Zwalm (Randall) of Banks. His surviving grandchildren and their spouses are: Tony Vickers, Jason McDiarmid (Devin), Clayton Poole (Brandi), Sarah Sabbatini (Dino), Trent Van Der Zwalm (Emily), and Christopher Van Der Zwalm (Whitney). He is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren.
Jaker is survived also by one brother Lincoln Smith of El Dorado; and two sisters-in-law: Martha Jo Smith of Hilo and Shelby Kiersey (Lawrence) of Banks.
He retired from the Potlatch Corporation as a heavy equipment operator and loved to show others the Potlatch roads that he helped build. He was an active member of Banks Missionary Baptist Church. He served as the water superintendent for the city of Banks, and served on the Banks School Board.
He and Georgia Mae enjoyed many camping- fishing trips with their family and friends. Jaker was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Our daddy was of the generation, that if they needed something, they had to figure out how to make it or make- do without it. Because of this industrious attitude, many people were the recipients of his garden produce and flowers; as well as, his wood-crafting projects, and his hand-made knives.
Our Daddy will be sorely missed by “The Girls”, family, and friends.
Pall-bearers were his grandsons, grand-son-in -law, and great-grandson. Honorary pall- bearers were his faithful friends: Billy Joe Watson, Lawrence Kiersey, Ronnie Harton, Curtis Howard, and Joe Anders.
Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Frazer’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jerry Burress officiating. Burial was in the McFarland Cemetery in Banks by Frazer’s Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the McFarland Cemetery Association, c/o Ginger Ricks, 125 Bradley Rd. 377, Banks, AR 71631; or Banks Missionary Baptist Church P O Box 35, Banks, AR 71631.
The family appreciates the care given to our loved one by the staff of Dalton’s Place in Fordyce.
